It missed my boat by about 20 feet. Nobody was hurt. Look at the story here: http://www.canada.com/national/story.html?id=70a78384-1ebe-4d35-85a3-acc9a6f91112
Ferry accident
- Thread starter Rob 1981 Cat 3019642
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Close Call
Good to hear your boat made it, but I'll bet your stomach did a few turns before you found out your boat was ok! I feel sorry for those who lost or received damage from this. Lets be especially thankful nobody was hurt in the accident. I can't wait to hear why the boat lost power. Good Day
Good to hear your boat made it, but I'll bet your stomach did a few turns before you found out your boat was ok! I feel sorry for those who lost or received damage from this. Lets be especially thankful nobody was hurt in the accident. I can't wait to hear why the boat lost power. Good Day
They don't know yet
I was down at the docks after the accident. I have moorage space there, but my boat was in dry dock in North Vancouver at the time. The area it is moored was untouched. I have a buddy who works for BC Ferries and is an officer was called out and joined the Queen of Oak Bay (the ferry in the accident) for assistance. He stayed with the ferry until it was dry docked. I'm having lunch with him so I'll get the story, but I don't think anyone knows much yet, I was just on the phone with him. There is lots of speculation about what happened. For example, some want the Ferry Captain to receive a medal for steering clear of the ferry jetty (some passengers would have been hurt if the ferry crashed into it). However the ferry had no steerage way, so the captain really had no control over the vessel at all. When the power went out, it meant the bow thrusters were gone; no bow thrusters means no braking and no close quarters steerage way. I hope the captain doesn't become the fall guy for an incident in which he had no control over.
I was down at the docks after the accident. I have moorage space there, but my boat was in dry dock in North Vancouver at the time. The area it is moored was untouched. I have a buddy who works for BC Ferries and is an officer was called out and joined the Queen of Oak Bay (the ferry in the accident) for assistance. He stayed with the ferry until it was dry docked. I'm having lunch with him so I'll get the story, but I don't think anyone knows much yet, I was just on the phone with him. There is lots of speculation about what happened. For example, some want the Ferry Captain to receive a medal for steering clear of the ferry jetty (some passengers would have been hurt if the ferry crashed into it). However the ferry had no steerage way, so the captain really had no control over the vessel at all. When the power went out, it meant the bow thrusters were gone; no bow thrusters means no braking and no close quarters steerage way. I hope the captain doesn't become the fall guy for an incident in which he had no control over.
captain's always responsible
Even if he is found legally not responsible he will probably feel morally responsible. Anyone who skipper's a vessel from a row boat to a supertanker takes (or should take) every aspect of the boat very seriously and personally. This mindset is what keeps the water as safe as it is.
Even if he is found legally not responsible he will probably feel morally responsible. Anyone who skipper's a vessel from a row boat to a supertanker takes (or should take) every aspect of the boat very seriously and personally. This mindset is what keeps the water as safe as it is.
Let's not start a blame game already
Most Americans start with that, due to our dependence on lawyers, I guess. Things happen. Yes, the skipper's usually "responsible" but finding out what went wrong mechanically or electrically is sure the best way to start. Could be deferred maintenance - ever had your boat NOT start? Glad no one got hurt - let's start there and see what happens. Stu
Most Americans start with that, due to our dependence on lawyers, I guess. Things happen. Yes, the skipper's usually "responsible" but finding out what went wrong mechanically or electrically is sure the best way to start. Could be deferred maintenance - ever had your boat NOT start? Glad no one got hurt - let's start there and see what happens. Stu
Rob and RSN
Hoooo-ly-cow, when I saw the picture on the front page of the Calgary Herald I can running to the forum to see if you guys and your boats were OK. What a heartbreak for many, I'm sure. ...RickM...
Hoooo-ly-cow, when I saw the picture on the front page of the Calgary Herald I can running to the forum to see if you guys and your boats were OK. What a heartbreak for many, I'm sure. ...RickM...
I was wrong about bow thrusters
Well, I was wrong about one thing, the ferry involved doesn't have bow thrusters, just a prop at either end. A news story on CBC says that the problem had to do with the clutch disengaging, so I guess we'll hear more about that.
Well, I was wrong about one thing, the ferry involved doesn't have bow thrusters, just a prop at either end. A news story on CBC says that the problem had to do with the clutch disengaging, so I guess we'll hear more about that.
Nanaimo Bars
I wonder if this had any effect on the outstanding buffet that they are so proud of aboard the BC Ferry Corp?? I heard that the Captain was actually 30 degrees off course at the time. Apparently he will not be held responsible because he was actually 55 degrees of course when he began correcting. RL
I wonder if this had any effect on the outstanding buffet that they are so proud of aboard the BC Ferry Corp?? I heard that the Captain was actually 30 degrees off course at the time. Apparently he will not be held responsible because he was actually 55 degrees of course when he began correcting. RL
Everything was going as planned until power gone
Everything was fine and going according to plan until the power went. What I have seen experienced Captains do is bring the vessel in a tad on the fast side, then slow down. I asked my friend if this was the case in this scenario and he said no, if you look at the video you can see the ferry is going slow. People here in our Port city forget that a vessel needs a certain amount of speed ("way") before they have "steerage." So steerage way is not the same as headway; you can have headway without steerage way, this was the case in this accident. The Captain had headway but not steerage way; kind of like driving a car on black ice - you can turn the wheel one way or the other, without effect. My friend says he looked at the bottom of the ferry after dry docking and there appeared to be very little damage to the hull, except for a bit of a "rounding" on the prop.
Everything was fine and going according to plan until the power went. What I have seen experienced Captains do is bring the vessel in a tad on the fast side, then slow down. I asked my friend if this was the case in this scenario and he said no, if you look at the video you can see the ferry is going slow. People here in our Port city forget that a vessel needs a certain amount of speed ("way") before they have "steerage." So steerage way is not the same as headway; you can have headway without steerage way, this was the case in this accident. The Captain had headway but not steerage way; kind of like driving a car on black ice - you can turn the wheel one way or the other, without effect. My friend says he looked at the bottom of the ferry after dry docking and there appeared to be very little damage to the hull, except for a bit of a "rounding" on the prop.
Captain's fault?
Yeah, sure, everything is the "captain's fault". Maybe the manufacturer of the engine knew of a defect but did not tell anyone. Maybe the people in the maintenence department knew of a problem, but did not fix it or tell anyone about it. Maybe the engineers of the boat knew about a potential problem, but never revealed it. Maybe the engine man, running the engine, fell asleep, and did not do his job. Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe, but surely, it is the Captain's fault, no matter what. The Captain of the boat should have reviewed the structural plans of the engineers who drew up the boat, he should have watched every weld and fitting during the manufacture of the boat, he should have supervised every maintenence procedure ever taking place on the boat, and should have been in the engine room, making sure that all was operating properly there, while at the same time, he should have been at the helm directing the navigation of the boat. Yes, surely, this accident was the "fault" of the Captain.
Yeah, sure, everything is the "captain's fault". Maybe the manufacturer of the engine knew of a defect but did not tell anyone. Maybe the people in the maintenence department knew of a problem, but did not fix it or tell anyone about it. Maybe the engineers of the boat knew about a potential problem, but never revealed it. Maybe the engine man, running the engine, fell asleep, and did not do his job. Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe, but surely, it is the Captain's fault, no matter what. The Captain of the boat should have reviewed the structural plans of the engineers who drew up the boat, he should have watched every weld and fitting during the manufacture of the boat, he should have supervised every maintenence procedure ever taking place on the boat, and should have been in the engine room, making sure that all was operating properly there, while at the same time, he should have been at the helm directing the navigation of the boat. Yes, surely, this accident was the "fault" of the Captain.
Congratulation to Captain and Crew
This is nothing else then a tragical accident. I'm sure that everyone involved in maintencance, Management, Crew and who else did not take any shortcuts. Usually I do not trust Management in most cases but this is too much of an issue which could not be controlled or planed in questions about setting needed repairs the side. Congratulations to the Captain to make such a hard decision regarding going right at it or do it the soft way as he/she did. Can he be responsible? Should he know everything? Absolute No! Do not make him a Victim and brandmark his integrity or his skills. As a senior Human Resource Manager from Europe I can only say to all involved, you did an excellent job in an unhappy situation. For all those who lost something. I feel with you. I am a sailor too. I really can understand your emotions. Praise the lord no one has been injured or even worse. A.R.
This is nothing else then a tragical accident. I'm sure that everyone involved in maintencance, Management, Crew and who else did not take any shortcuts. Usually I do not trust Management in most cases but this is too much of an issue which could not be controlled or planed in questions about setting needed repairs the side. Congratulations to the Captain to make such a hard decision regarding going right at it or do it the soft way as he/she did. Can he be responsible? Should he know everything? Absolute No! Do not make him a Victim and brandmark his integrity or his skills. As a senior Human Resource Manager from Europe I can only say to all involved, you did an excellent job in an unhappy situation. For all those who lost something. I feel with you. I am a sailor too. I really can understand your emotions. Praise the lord no one has been injured or even worse. A.R.
about the cause...and more
one of my best friends was the guy that held the wheel all the way in. He is not a captain, but a deckhand (quartermaster). The captain gave him instructions to head 20 degrees to starboard to get into berth 1. Immediately after he turned, the clutches wouldn't engage. Captain told him hard to port and they drifted out of control until they hit. They had about 3 minutes to try to fix the problem but the engine room couldn't get the clutches to engage. Due to the long time frame they were able to sound the horn to warn people on the docks, and get people out of cars and to the upper decks. Apparently the crew reacted quickly and professionally and did whatever they could do to prevent injury to passengers and bystanders. Also, crew was asked to drop anchor but didn't have time. Had they dropped anchor I think they would have dragged the breakwater cable and done more damage. My friend called me as soon as he could to tell me that he had missed my boat! I went out there yesterday to look around. I think they nicked the breakwater. Pretty amazing, and lucky. I'm sure BC Ferries will make good on all the damage to the boats out there - they don't want any more negative press. They get enough of that.
one of my best friends was the guy that held the wheel all the way in. He is not a captain, but a deckhand (quartermaster). The captain gave him instructions to head 20 degrees to starboard to get into berth 1. Immediately after he turned, the clutches wouldn't engage. Captain told him hard to port and they drifted out of control until they hit. They had about 3 minutes to try to fix the problem but the engine room couldn't get the clutches to engage. Due to the long time frame they were able to sound the horn to warn people on the docks, and get people out of cars and to the upper decks. Apparently the crew reacted quickly and professionally and did whatever they could do to prevent injury to passengers and bystanders. Also, crew was asked to drop anchor but didn't have time. Had they dropped anchor I think they would have dragged the breakwater cable and done more damage. My friend called me as soon as he could to tell me that he had missed my boat! I went out there yesterday to look around. I think they nicked the breakwater. Pretty amazing, and lucky. I'm sure BC Ferries will make good on all the damage to the boats out there - they don't want any more negative press. They get enough of that.
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