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Whale boat disaster: 'phenomenal' rescue prevented even greater tragedy Whale boat disaster: 'phenomenal' rescue prevented even greater tragedy
(35 minutes later)
There was no time even to send out a Mayday. The shocked survivors of the whale-watching cruise that claimed the lives of five Britons and probably an Australian off the Canadian coast told their rescuers they could not believe how fast their boat turned over and plunged them into the frigid waters near the rural tourist town of Tofino.There was no time even to send out a Mayday. The shocked survivors of the whale-watching cruise that claimed the lives of five Britons and probably an Australian off the Canadian coast told their rescuers they could not believe how fast their boat turned over and plunged them into the frigid waters near the rural tourist town of Tofino.
So quickly, in fact, that the stunned owner of the Leviathan II said the skipper did not even get off a distress call. But someone did manage to fire a flare, setting in motion a remarkable rescue effort on Sunday by fishermen and pleasure boats that prevented an even greater tragedy.So quickly, in fact, that the stunned owner of the Leviathan II said the skipper did not even get off a distress call. But someone did manage to fire a flare, setting in motion a remarkable rescue effort on Sunday by fishermen and pleasure boats that prevented an even greater tragedy.
Canadian authorities said the confirmed dead were four men and a woman aged between 18 and 76. All were British citizens, although two were residents of Canada. The coastguard and police divers searched for a sixth person who is missing, identified as an Australian man, until dusk on Monday without success. Canadian authorities said the confirmed dead were four men and a woman aged between 18 and 76. All were British citizens, two of whom were residents of Canada. The coastguard and police divers searched for a sixth person who is missing, identified as an Australian man, until dusk on Monday without success.
But, while mourning the lost lives, many in Tofino were marvelling that the remainder of the 24 passengers and three crew survived after the Leviathan II went down about 15km (nine miles) from the town.But, while mourning the lost lives, many in Tofino were marvelling that the remainder of the 24 passengers and three crew survived after the Leviathan II went down about 15km (nine miles) from the town.
Officials began an investigation on Monday into what sank the 20-metre long vessel. But a view was already taking hold in the town that the boat was sunk by a powerful wave after some of the survivors told their rescuers the Leviathan II suddenly tipped – although there was also speculation it hit a rock.Officials began an investigation on Monday into what sank the 20-metre long vessel. But a view was already taking hold in the town that the boat was sunk by a powerful wave after some of the survivors told their rescuers the Leviathan II suddenly tipped – although there was also speculation it hit a rock.
Fishermen said the area is known for occasional freak waves. The tourists had been watching seals and did not have time to put on life jackets although plenty were available.Fishermen said the area is known for occasional freak waves. The tourists had been watching seals and did not have time to put on life jackets although plenty were available.
It is still not known who fired the flare but it was spotted by fishermen from an indigenous community of the Ahoushat First Nation people a few miles to the north who set the radio waves alight with a call for support. Text messages flew. It is still not known who fired the flare but it was spotted by fishermen from an indigenous community of the Ahousaht First Nation people a few miles to the north who sent out calls for help via radio and text messages.
Boats already at sea headed for the rescue area. Those at the dock were soon following them. Among the first on the scene was Clarence Smith, who found the vessel mostly underwater with just its bow still above the waves.Boats already at sea headed for the rescue area. Those at the dock were soon following them. Among the first on the scene was Clarence Smith, who found the vessel mostly underwater with just its bow still above the waves.
“We saw three people in the water. One guy was clinging to the boat so we picked him first. Then I heard these voices. There were two ladies in the water clinging to each other,” he said.“We saw three people in the water. One guy was clinging to the boat so we picked him first. Then I heard these voices. There were two ladies in the water clinging to each other,” he said.
Smith said one of the women was pregnant and had a broken leg. Ken Lucas was working with Smith. He said that one of the people they rescued was a member of the crew who said the boat was hit by a wave.Smith said one of the women was pregnant and had a broken leg. Ken Lucas was working with Smith. He said that one of the people they rescued was a member of the crew who said the boat was hit by a wave.
Francis Campbell, driving a water taxi, was also early on the scene. He pulled eight survivors from the frigid water. “It’s something you really can’t describe. It’s going to be held with me for the rest of my life,” he said. Francis Campbell, driving a water taxi, was also quickly on the scene. He pulled eight survivors from the frigid water. “It’s something you really can’t describe. It’s going to be held with me for the rest of my life,” he said.
The flare was also spotted by Peter Frank. He rescued people clinging to a life raft that had run onto rocks. ”There was this one guy saying: ‘My wife, my wife. She doesn’t know how to swim. She isn’t a great swimmer,’” he said. “Some of them, when they hopped on the boat, it was just a sense of relief ... I did my best to reassure them, to tell them they’re OK.” The flare was also spotted by Peter Frank. He rescued people clinging to a life raft that had run on to rocks. “There was this one guy saying: ‘My wife, my wife. She doesn’t know how to swim. She isn’t a great swimmer,’” he said. “Some of them, when they hopped on the boat, it was just a sense of relief ... I did my best to reassure them, to tell them they’re OK.”
About 30 boats responded to the rescue call alongside the Canadian coastguard. Leviathan II’s owner, Jamie Bray, said he could not believe the boat capsized. “Traumatised would be an appropriate word. Disbelief,” he said.About 30 boats responded to the rescue call alongside the Canadian coastguard. Leviathan II’s owner, Jamie Bray, said he could not believe the boat capsized. “Traumatised would be an appropriate word. Disbelief,” he said.
Bray said the vessel had made the same trip every day for 20 years without incident and that the skipper had 18 years experience. ”We just don’t understand, and we won’t know the answers until the Transportation Safety Board finishes their investigation,” he said. Bray said the vessel had made the same trip every day for 20 years without incident and that the skipper had 18 years’ experience. ”We just don’t understand, and we won’t know the answers until the Transportation Safety Board finishes their investigation,” he said.
Bray said it was the second fatal accident involving one of his boats. In 1998, two people died after a wave tossed them from a much smaller craft.Bray said it was the second fatal accident involving one of his boats. In 1998, two people died after a wave tossed them from a much smaller craft.
As the survivors were delivered ashore, they were taken to Tofino’s small hospital. But it soon became overwhelmed so local residents began taking the less serious cases into their homes. Three of the most seriously injured were taken to larger hospitals on Vancouver Island. As the survivors were brought ashore, they were taken to Tofino’s small hospital. But it soon became overwhelmed so local residents began taking the less serious cases into their homes. Three of the most seriously injured were taken to larger hospitals on Vancouver Island.
Tofino’s mayor, Josie Osborne, praised the townspeople. ”This community’s response has been nothing short of phenomenal,” she said. “People opened their homes to keep the survivors warm and comfort them.” Tofino’s mayor, Josie Osborne, praised the townspeople. “This community’s response has been nothing short of phenomenal,” she said. “People opened their homes to keep the survivors warm and comfort them.”
Canada’s Transport Safety Board sent a team to investigate but said it would not expect to reach any conclusions for months. Canada’s Transportation Safety Board sent a team to investigate but said it would not expect to reach any conclusions for months.
“We understand people want answers rapidly,” said Marc-André Poisson, the board’s director of investigations. “We don’t speculate and it’s much too early to say what the causes and contributing factors of this accident might be.”“We understand people want answers rapidly,” said Marc-André Poisson, the board’s director of investigations. “We don’t speculate and it’s much too early to say what the causes and contributing factors of this accident might be.”