Tofino whale-watching ship's twin shows extent of modifications
Jamie's Whaling Station says it never would have put passengers in a vessel not deemed safe
Images of the MV Leviathan II's sister ship, the Miss Interfor, show the extent of modifications made to the now infamous whale-watching boat, the MV Leviathan II.
The vessel sank west of Tofino on October 25, while on an excursion with 27 people on board. Five people died, while one man remains missing.
- Capsizing of whale-watching boat sparks call for more regulation
- Concerns over MV Leviathan II modifications
- What caused whale-watching boat to capsize
The Leviathan II was built in 1981 by Rivtow Industries. At the time, it was called Crown Forest 72-112.
In that same year, another boat, called the Crown Forest 72-113, was also built by Rivtow. It was later called the Miss Interfor.
Lea Edgar, librarian and archivist with the Vancouver Maritime Museum, confirmed to CBC News that the two boats can be considered "sister ships."
In an email she says they share a near identical design, with some minor variations.
More passengers now
"The Miss Interfor seems to be a little shorter than what the Leviathan II was originally and was fitted with different engines," she told CBC in an email.
The Leviathan II underwent modifications in 1996. An observation deck was built and the vessel was lengthened, says Transport Canada. In addition a second wheelhouse was added, Tad Roberts, a small vessel designer and consultant told CBC. Roberts told CBC the Leviathan II would have been lengthened by adding to the stern. Engines would have also been moved, he said.
Rob Morris, editor of Western Mariner Magazine, told CBC that, when he wrote about and visited the Miss Interfor in 1998, it could carry up to 36 passengers. The Leviathan II was permitted to carry up to 46 passengers, according to Jamie's Whaling Stations's website.
Images of the Miss Interfor give an idea of what the Leviathan II would have looked like before the changes were made.
Leviathan II passed stability test
Transport Canada says the MV Leviathan II did undergo both a stability assessment and an incline test when it was refitted, but some experts are raising concerns about its stability.
"The Leviathan II was fully tested and certified by Transport Canada for stability and other safety aspects after its initial modification into a whale watching vessel almost 20 years ago and has been inspected by officials every year since," the director of operations with Jamie's Whaling Station, Corene Inouye, wrote in a statement.
"Jamie's would never have allowed a single passenger or anyone else to be on the water in a vessel that we we're not absolutely confident was safe," the statement said. "We have also been diligent in ensuring the safety and seaworthiness of our vessels."
Even the best boats can be overwhelmed
Roberts cautioned that the Leviathan II was always a passenger boat and the modifications may be unrelated to its capsizing.
"The power of the sea is unbelievable," he said. "Even the best boats can be overwhelmed. So there is a risk when people go to sea. It's not a very high risk, but it is a risk."
On Friday, Jamie's Whaling Station thanked all the people who helped in the tragedy and said "the road to healing will be a long one" — a sentiment echoed by the ship's captain.
"Most of all to the families, friends and loved ones of those who did not come home, I want to express my heartfelt sympathies and I pray your grief for their loss will not stay with you as long as it will stay with me," said Captain Wayne Dolby in a statement released on Friday.
with files from the CBC's Paisley Woodward