Multiple fatalities after whale-watching boat carrying 27 sinks off Vancouver Island

[Bigmack]

Source: Seattle Times

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Canadian authorities say there have been multiple fatalities after a whale watching boat with 27 people on board sank off Vancouver Island.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre confirmed that the vessel made a mayday call shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday near Tofino, British Columbia.


The B.C. Coroner’s Service said more than one person died.

Asked how many were dead, British Columbia Coroner spokeswoman Barb McLintock said in an email: “Multiple but we don’t yet have a firm number. Still a very fluid situation so we really are not sure yet.”

Read more: http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/canadian-authorities-whale-watching-boat-carrying-27-sinks/?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Breaking%20News&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News%20Alert

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The boat was out of Tofino, which is on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
That water is damn cold. And can be rough. I think most whale-watching boats have float-suits for their people, but I dunno how much that would help in that area.

Stay tuned.

[restorefreedom]

1. damn.

rip, victims

[Bigmack]

2. Update....

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Canadian authorities say at least three people died after a whale watching boat with 27 people on board sank off Vancouver Island.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre confirmed that the vessel made a mayday call shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday near Tofino, British Columbia.


Jenn Hamilton, a spokeswoman for British Columbia Emergency Health Services, said at least three were dead. Hamilton said she did not have further details including nationalities of the deceased.


She didn’t know how far off the coast of British Columbia the boat sank. Five ambulances were dispatched and many off duty paramedics went to the dock to help, she said.

[Bigmack]

3. Another update... from the CBC...

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria says 27 people were on board the tour vessel when it sank west of Vargas Island.

Paramedics confirmed the three deaths at 5:10 p.m. PT, while the boat sank an hour earlier. Paramedics say the number of fatalities could climb.

Four victims were transferred to hospital, while another five were being warmed by first responders after spending time in the water.
It is unclear if all the passengers on the vessel have been accounted for.

When contacted, Jamie's Whaling Station told CBC News that it was busy with efforts to assist its passengers and crew.

[Bigmack]

4. A fourth person has died..

.. and apparently the rescuers are looking for more people. They were out of sight of land.

"The waters weren't choppy so I don't see what could have caused the boat to sink, but you never know in these waters unfortunately," he added.

[pugetres]

5. Thank you for the updates.

Thanks.

[TexasTowelie]

7. Death toll is at five.

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2015/10/canadian_whale-watching_boat_s.html#incart_river_home

[uppityperson]

8. Here's the link to Vancouver Sun, with photo of the boat. Damn. 5 dead,1 still missing.

This is really sad. I think the boat was large enough, and enclosed, so they didn't wear float suits or even life jackets.


http://www.vancouversun.com/news/multiple+fatalities+reported+after+tour+boat+capsizes+near+tofino/11467007/story.html

[Bigmack]

10. That picture scares the shit out of me....

I'm out in the Pacific several times a year sportfishing. As far as 55 miles out. The water can be amazingly awful. I always feel confident in the stoutness of the boat and the skill of the skippers.

This looks like a stout boat, and I know that the skipper must have been well qualified.

5 dead.... so far...

Terrible...and it strikes close to home, too.

[uppityperson]

11. Friends cruised that area last summer, we stick more to the San Juan and inside Vanc Island

I feel so bad for those involved and agree, the pictures of the boat are scary.

Lots of new baby orcas this year, would love to do a whale watch cruise. My spouse thinks I'm overly cautious, but the waters here are cold and things happen.

It will be interesting to find out what happened, no one got in a life boat

[MowCowWhoHow III]

9. Five Britons killed after boat sinks

Five Britons were killed when a whale-watching boat sank off the coast of western Canada, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34640345

[uppityperson]

12. Update from survivors on what happened

Not a lot of info yet, but figured you'd be interested.



http://www.vancouversun.com/news/rescuer+recalls+distraught+terrified+passengers+from+capsized+whale/11469451/story.html

When we got into calm waters they were saying they were looking at the seals and they saw this real big wave coming, bigger than the rest," he said. "It brought them up and they fell over and just started tumbling, over and over.

"The next thing they know the boat is full of water and they were all rushing out. The only thing they could see was the life raft so they all swam for the life raft."

.....

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tofino-whale-watching-accident-eye-witness-accounts-1.3288970

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. Some kind of rogue wave

Yikes.

Terrifying.

[uppityperson]

14. Sounds like it. With varied currents, tidal rips, it can be very scary

It sounds like they were broadside to whatever hit them.

[Art_from_Ark]

15. ...

[Rond Vidar]

16. Sad news. Tragedy can strike anytime, anywhere.