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==Sinking==
The ''Queen of the North'' sank after running aground on [[Gil Island (Canada)|Gil Island]] in [[Wright Sound]], 135 [[kilometre|kilometres]] (70 [[nautical mile]]s) south of [[Prince Rupert, British Columbia|Prince Rupert]], [[British Columbia]] at 12:25 AM or 12:43 AM [[Pacific Standard Time Zone|PST]] (08:43 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]) (there are conflicting reports about the exact time) on [[March 22]], [[2006]]. News reports have indicated that the vessel was one kilometre off course at the time of the collision<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/26/diving-vessel060326.html</ref>. She was bound for [[Port Hardy, British Columbia|Port Hardy]]. Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria dispatched [[AgustaWestland EH101|CH-149 Cormorant]] and [[De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo|CC-115 Buffalo]] search and rescue aircraft from [[CFB Comox]] and [[Canadian Coast Guard]] search and rescue vessels to the scene of the sinking. A number of fishing boats from Hartley Bay also answered the distress call. According to the official BC Ferries press release, 99 of the 101 passengers and crew were safely evacuated with only a few minor injuries<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bcferries.com/files/AboutBCF/06-014queenofthenorth2.pdf| title=BC Ferries Press Release| month=22 Mar| year=2006| publisher=BC Ferries| format=PDF| accessdate=2006-03-23}}</ref>, and many of them found accommodation in nearby [[Hartley Bay, British Columbia|Hartley Bay]]. Two people, Shirley Rosette and Gerald Foisy of [[100 Mile House, British Columbia|100 Mile House]], are thought to have failed to reach the lifeboats and perished along with the ship.<ref>http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060324/bc_ferry_update_060324/20060324?hub=TopStories</ref> While a passenger reportedly told police the missing couple was seen on Hartley Bay during the rescue effort, a thorough search of the small aboriginal community of 200 people by police turned up nothing. In addition the couple have not contacted relatives since the ferry sank. According to emergency responders the ship took approximately an hour to sink, giving passengers time to evacuate into [[lifeboat|lifeboats]]. Eyewitness reports confirmed the approximate time between the accident and the sinking and also suggest that the ship sank stern first. Originally the evacuation of the ship was reported to be a smooth one; however, stories of chest high water in sleeping compartments in the lower decks of sleeping crew members surfaced on
Preliminary news reports suggest that the ship's captain was not at the helm at the time of the accident, and that the ship was placed on autopilot but the bridge would have been occupied by other qualified crew members. This situation is not unusual, as captains are required to rest for prescribed periods and often take their dinner break between 12 and 1 AM at night. However, BC Ferries regulations require that 3 ship's officers are to be on the bridge at all times on this and many other voyages<ref>http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=4138541b-8cb4-4498-998e-2a90e5caf1db&k=7083</ref> and yet the Transportation Safety Board reports that only 2 crew members were on the bridge at the time of the accident.
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The response by BC Ferries officials such as [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] David Hahn, has been that this was a catastrophic event, but that the emergency response by the crew is evidence of the safety of ferry travel. The [[Premier of British Columbia]], [[Gordon Campbell]], has echoed this and met with survivors in Prince Rupert on the day of the incident. One speculation noted by ferry officials concerns new autopilot systems installed that had been installed on the ship. According to [[Kevin Falcon]], the BC Minister of Transportation, the equipment had been certified by [[Transport Canada]] only as recently as [[March 2]] <ref>http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/24/diving-vessel060324.html</ref>.
On
The ship had approximately 220,000 litres of [[diesel|diesel fuel]] on board and 23,000 litres of lubricating oil<ref>http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=e232abce-ef61-47b1-b3af-f3acc685bfea&k=59465</ref>. She was also carrying 16 vehicles, and her foundering created an oil slick that quickly spread throughout the sound. Containment efforts began that morning, and as of [[March 25]], [[2006]], officials are saying that it "appears no major damage has been done to the environment in the area."<ref>http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=ef3e10c6-86f7-41c1-97b2-74306b5b5c5f&k=54078</ref> However, the long-term effects on Wright Sound's [[ecosystem|biosystem]], and especially its [[shellfish]] population, are not yet known.
On [[27 March]], 2006, Alexander and Maria Kotai filed a lawsuit against BC Ferries for [[negligence]], claiming that the company failed to train the crew adequately, supervise the bridge crew, keep proper lookout, operate at a safe speed, and conduct the evacuation to prevent or minimize injuries. The Kotais were moving house at the time, and lost many of their personal possessions in the sinking. The amount of [[damages]] that they are seeking has not been specified.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/27/ferries060327.html</ref>
It is also not yet clear whether a newer ferry with double-hulls and multiple compartments (such as the [[S class ferry|Spirit Class]]) would have survived in similar circumstances. Statements made by CEO Hahn suggest that the speed at impact was approximately 19 knots and that it is unlikely that any ship the size of the ''Queen of the North'' would survive<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/24/diving-vessel060324.html</ref>. The effect on the coastal villages served by ''Queen of the North'' is expected to become acute, as many of these small communities rely on BC Ferries not only for transport, but also for food, mail and supplies. BC Ferries' remaining ships may not be able to service these locations fifty-two weeks a year.▼
▲It is also not yet clear whether a newer ferry with double-hulls and multiple compartments (such as the [[S class ferry|Spirit Class]]) would have survived in similar circumstances. Statements made by CEO Hahn suggest that the speed at impact was approximately 19 knots and that it is unlikely that any ship the size of the ''Queen of the North'' would survive<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/03/24/diving-vessel060324.html</ref>. The effect on the coastal villages served by ''Queen of the North'' is expected to become acute, as many of these small communities rely on BC Ferries not only for transport, but also for food, mail and supplies. BC Ferries' remaining ships may not be able to service these locations
BC Ferries has hired a commercial barge service to transport essential goods to the communities cut off by the sinking as well as float planes to move pre-booked customers. Regular service will resume once the ''Queen of Prince Rupert'' is out of drydock as she was undergoing a major overhaul at the time of the sinking.
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==Additional notes==
This is the second accident on a BC Ferries vessel within the past year. On [[June 30]], [[2005]], the [[BC_Ferries#Queen_of_Oak_Bay|''Queen of Oak Bay'']] lost power while docking due to a missing cotter pin<ref>http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMV/2005jul0073.html</ref>, crashing into a marina and damaging 22 pleasure craft. Despite these events, BC premier Gordon Campbell has expressed his confidence in the ferry system, saying "The fleet is safe. Not only is the fleet safe, but it is manned by professional crews that are trained in safety."<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/22/AR2006032201447.html</ref>
''For a more detailed history of ferry safety in British Columbia, please refer to the main [[BC Ferries#Accidents|BC Ferries]] article.''
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