TSB Releases Report on the Sinking of Whale-Watching Vessel Explorathor

GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 30 /CNW/ - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its final investigation report (M09W0147) into the July 23, 2009 striking and subsequent sinking of the passenger vessel Explorathor.

At 12:52 pacific daylight time, on the return journey from a whale-watching excursion, the Explorathor struck a submerged object off Croker Point, Saturna Island, British Columbia. All the passengers (32 on board) and the two crew members were transferred to another vessel. Nobody was injured. As a result of the damage sustained, at 13:34 pacific daylight time, the Explorathor sank in Campbell Bay, Mayne Island.

The report can be found on the TSB website at www.bst-tsb.gc.ca.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

For further information:

Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Media Relations
Telephone: [phone]