PonderingThings
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http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=ddd2569e-2537-46fe-9439-aa1751ee4d43&k=31658
Ferry sinks off B.C. coast
Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, March 22, 2006
VANCOUVER -- Rescuers plucked dozens of people from lifeboats off B.C.'s Queen Charlotte Islands early Wednesday after a large ferry sunk in choppy seas.
At least 96 of the 102 people aboard were rescued, said Capt. Leah Byrne of the Search and Rescue Centre in Victoria.
She said a search was continuing.
Byrne did not say why the Queen of the North went down. The ship was en route to Port Hardy from Prince Rupert, a trip of about 450 kilometres. The 125-metre-long vessel is reported to be completely submerged about 135 kilometres from Prince Rupert.
"The joint rescue co-ordination centre dispatched a large number of assets to the scene, including a cormorant helicopter and buffalo aircraft," she said.
Unconfirmed reports said fishing trawlers also responded to the initial call and helped in the rescue. Seas were reported to be choppy and winds were blowing at about 75 kilometres per hour.
"From what we hear, it took about an hour for the ship to sink so most of the people did manage to get onto lifeboats," she said.
Survivors were taken to a community centre in Hartley Bay.
Nicole Robinson, a receptionist at the nursing station in Hartley Bay said some people were hurt, but not seriously.
"We've just had a few patients come and go, minor injuries, the community all got together with blankets, everybody's pretty cold but they're all down at a community hall," Robinson said.
According to the B.C. Ferries website, the ship was built in Germany in 1969 and refitted in 2001. It can hold up to 700 people and 115 cars.
Ferry sinks off B.C. coast
Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, March 22, 2006
VANCOUVER -- Rescuers plucked dozens of people from lifeboats off B.C.'s Queen Charlotte Islands early Wednesday after a large ferry sunk in choppy seas.
At least 96 of the 102 people aboard were rescued, said Capt. Leah Byrne of the Search and Rescue Centre in Victoria.
She said a search was continuing.
Byrne did not say why the Queen of the North went down. The ship was en route to Port Hardy from Prince Rupert, a trip of about 450 kilometres. The 125-metre-long vessel is reported to be completely submerged about 135 kilometres from Prince Rupert.
"The joint rescue co-ordination centre dispatched a large number of assets to the scene, including a cormorant helicopter and buffalo aircraft," she said.
Unconfirmed reports said fishing trawlers also responded to the initial call and helped in the rescue. Seas were reported to be choppy and winds were blowing at about 75 kilometres per hour.
"From what we hear, it took about an hour for the ship to sink so most of the people did manage to get onto lifeboats," she said.
Survivors were taken to a community centre in Hartley Bay.
Nicole Robinson, a receptionist at the nursing station in Hartley Bay said some people were hurt, but not seriously.
"We've just had a few patients come and go, minor injuries, the community all got together with blankets, everybody's pretty cold but they're all down at a community hall," Robinson said.
According to the B.C. Ferries website, the ship was built in Germany in 1969 and refitted in 2001. It can hold up to 700 people and 115 cars.