Public Safety and Solicitor General
The BC Coroners Service has concluded its investigation into the sinking of the Leviathan II whale-watching boat off Plover Reefs near Tofino on Oct. 25, 2015, which claimed six lives.
Investigating coroner Courtney Cote concluded the six passengers died from drowning as a consequence of saltwater immersion and classified the deaths as accidental. In the Coroner’s Report, she provided two recommendations to Transport Canada to prevent future deaths in similar circumstances:
1) To require that lifejackets be worn by all passengers on the outer decks of vessels greater than 15 gross tons carrying more than 12 passengers; and
2) To review the regulations regarding emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB) with consideration for expanding the class of vessels required to carry these devices.
The BC Coroners Service, RCMP and Transportation Safety Board all investigated these deaths. Jamie’s Whaling Station, the operator of the vessel, also initiated changes to its procedures and practices to prevent further incidents within the local industry and also communicated with members of the industry to make broader changes.
Learn More:
Audio from the regional director for the Vancouver Island Region, Jess Gunnarson, on the recommendations: http://ow.ly/nRXg30idsNm
Transportation Safety Board recommendations on improved passenger vessel safety measures: http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/marine/2017/m15p0347-20170614.asp
BC Coroners Service's Recommendations Letter to Transport Canada Regarding Capsizing of Leviathan II in October 2015: http://ow.ly/uE8C30ieMOU
Coroner's Reports
- Nigel Francis Hooker: http://ow.ly/aFrw30ieMYe
- Raveshan Pillay: http://ow.ly/7ZZz30ieNgB
- Jack Slater: http://ow.ly/EPJh30ieN9O
- Katie Nicola Taylor: http://ow.ly/Jgk530ieN2o
- David Wyndham Thomas: http://ow.ly/MYO430ieNj2
- Stephen David Thomas: http://ow.ly/GdoN30ieNlm
For further information, please contact:
Andy Watson
Manager, Strategic Communications
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253
