GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The Transportation Safety Board of
Canada (TSB) today released its investigation report (M11W0199) into
the 18 November 2011 striking of a berth of the British Columbia Ferry
Services (BCFS) Queen of Coquitlam in Departure Bay, Nanaimo, British Columbia.
During the passage from Horseshoe Bay Terminal to Departure Bay
Terminal, one of the two main engines of the vessel had to be shut down
for mechanical reasons. While work on this engine was being completed,
the bow propeller was locked out in the engine room, making it
unavailable to the vessel's master and leaving the stern propeller as
the only operational propeller. As the Queen of Coquitlam approached Departure Bay, incomplete communications between the engine
room and the bridge led to a misunderstanding as to the availability of
engines and propellers for docking. With only one propeller available,
the master was unable to slow or control the vessel adequately. This
resulted in the vessel striking the port-side fender.
The TSB issued a Marine Safety Information Letter (MSI 04/12) to advise
BCFS and Transport Canada about the safety issues identified in its
investigation. The letter also acknowledged that BCFS has been
proactively attempting to rectify these safety issues. BCFS has since
implemented new standard operating procedures for reducing speed and
has also developed a series of contingency plans and drills to further
mitigate the risks involved in the vessel docking phase.
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.
SOURCE: TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA