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Whale-Watching Boat Capsizes, Officials Blame Rogue Wave

By Jennifer Deutschmann
Published on: 04:45 PST, Oct 28, 2015

A whale-watching boat capsized off the coast of Tofino, British Columbia, on Sunday — killing five passengers. Although the tragedy is still under investigation, officials believe the 65-foot vessel was likely stuck by a rogue wave.

MV Leviathan II, which is owned by Jamie’s Whaling Station, was approximately eight miles from the coast when the incident occurred. According to witness reports, a majority of the passengers and crew were gathered on the left side of the upper deck when a large wave smashed into the right side of the boat.

Transportation Safety Board Director of Marine Investigations, Marc Andre Poisson, said the passengers and crew may have “raised the center of gravity” and ultimately compromised “the vessel’s stability” by gathering on the same side of the vessel.

As reported by Fox News, the position of the passengers can affect a boat’s stability. However, it is unlikely that the whale-watching boat would have capsized had it not been struck by a rogue wave.

Poisson confirmed the scenario is likely, as sea conditions at the time of the incident could have triggered a rogue wave on the right side of the boat.

Although officials believe the whale-watching boat was capsized by a rogue wave, Poisson confirmed the the incident is still under investigation.

Jamie’s Whaling Station director of operations, Corene Inouye, said the crew was barely able to initiate a mayday call — as the boat started sinking immediately after capsizing.

Fortunately, they managed to deploy several safety flares while they were in the water.

Aboriginal fisherman Clarence Smith said he and his friend spotted the flare while they were fishing for halibut. Although the men rushed to the scene, and rescued many of the survivors, five people lost their lives in the devastating incident.

As reported by Mirror, the deceased were identified as Jack Slater, 76, Nigel Hooker, 63, David Thomas, 50, Katie Taylor, 29, and Stephen Thomas, 18.

Approximately 20 others were transported to local hospitals to treat a variety of injuries. However, they are expected to survive.

A 27-year-old man, who was not named, remains missing. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the man’s girlfriend survived the accident. However, her father was killed when the whale-watching boat capsized.

British Columbia Island regional coroner Matt Brown confirmed none of the victims were wearing life jackets. Although the passengers were not required to wear life jackets, the boat was equipped with at least 50 — although there were only 27 passengers and crew when the accident occurred.

The temperature of the water, which was recorded as 55 degrees, was also a factor — as the passengers and crew were not wearing any protective clothing.

Authorities said capsizing incidents are rare. However, another whale-watching boat, which was also owned by Jamie’s Whaling Station, capsized in 1998.

Officials determined the incident, which killed a crew member and passenger, was caused by a rogue wave.

As reported by USA Today, whale-watching tours are generally safe — and rarely result in fatalities.

Captain James Staples, who is a maritime safety instructor, said a majority of whale-watching accidents involve “tripping or slipping on wet decks or staircases.”

Although whale-watching vessels must be equipped with life jackets, they are not required to provide “special survival suits allowing them to withstand the cold water.”

Massachusetts Maritime Academy Capt. Joseph Murphy II said frigid waters lessen the chances of survival significantly.

Authorities are still trying to determine what caused the whale-watching boat to capsize. However, it is likely that the passengers’ position, and a rogue wave, were both factors.

[Image via Chase Clausen / Shutterstock.com]

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