This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/world/americas/canada-boat-sinks-whale-watching-tofino-british-columbia.html

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Whale-Watching Boat Sinks Off British Columbia Coast Whale-Watching Boat Sinks Off British Columbia Coast
(34 minutes later)
A whale-watching boat carrying more than two dozen tourists sank off the coast of British Columbia on Sunday, killing at least four people, officials said. A whale-watching boat carrying more than two dozen people sank off the coast of British Columbia on Sunday, killing at least five, officials said.
Melissa Kia, a spokeswoman for the Royal Canadian Navy, said the ship sank around 5 p.m. with 27 people on board in the waters near Tofino, British Columbia, a popular vacation spot on the west coast of Vancouver Island.Melissa Kia, a spokeswoman for the Royal Canadian Navy, said the ship sank around 5 p.m. with 27 people on board in the waters near Tofino, British Columbia, a popular vacation spot on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
“There were four people recovered without vital signs,” she said. “The search continues to locate people still unaccounted for.” Barb McLintock, a spokeswoman for the British Columbia coroner, said that five people were confirmed dead, The Associated Press reported.
Ships from the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard were involved in the search, she said. Ships from the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard were involved in the search, Ms. Kia said. Residents with private boats were also helping in the search, said the mayor of Tofino, Josie Osborne, while others were donating food or clothing or opening their homes to survivors. She said the town was “a very small, tightknit coastal community with a strong fishery and forestry background.”
Residents with private boats were helping in the search, said the mayor of Tofino, Josie Osborne, while others were donating food or clothing or opening their homes to survivors. She said the town was “a very small, tightknit coastal community with a strong fishery and forestry background.”
“We make most our living from ecotourism like whale watching and wildlife watching,” Ms. Osborne said. “A tragedy like this just hits home so hard.”“We make most our living from ecotourism like whale watching and wildlife watching,” Ms. Osborne said. “A tragedy like this just hits home so hard.”
At least 11 survivors had been found by Sunday night, health officials said. Valerie Wilson, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, said that eight survivors were being treated at Tofino General Hospital. Three more were sent for treatment to hospitals outside the area, said Jennifer Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the British Columbia Emergency Health Service.At least 11 survivors had been found by Sunday night, health officials said. Valerie Wilson, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, said that eight survivors were being treated at Tofino General Hospital. Three more were sent for treatment to hospitals outside the area, said Jennifer Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the British Columbia Emergency Health Service.
“Numerous people are being treated on the scene by paramedics,” Ms. Hamilton said.“Numerous people are being treated on the scene by paramedics,” Ms. Hamilton said.
The ship, the Leviathan II, was owned by a local business, Jamie’s Whaling Station. Its website describes the ship as a 65-foot-long, three-deck cruiser that could accommodate 46 passengers on cruises through Clayoquot Sound and the whale-rich waters off the coast of Vancouver Island.The ship, the Leviathan II, was owned by a local business, Jamie’s Whaling Station. Its website describes the ship as a 65-foot-long, three-deck cruiser that could accommodate 46 passengers on cruises through Clayoquot Sound and the whale-rich waters off the coast of Vancouver Island.
The cause of the accident was unclear. Video posted online by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation showed emergency medical workers in Tofino gathered on a long wooden dock that stretched over the placid waters north of town. Green mountains ringed the inlet, and gray clouds hung in the sky overhead.The cause of the accident was unclear. Video posted online by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation showed emergency medical workers in Tofino gathered on a long wooden dock that stretched over the placid waters north of town. Green mountains ringed the inlet, and gray clouds hung in the sky overhead.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a statement that it was investigating the accident.The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a statement that it was investigating the accident.