Union demands judicial inquiry into B.C. ferry sinking

The B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers' Union is calling for a judicial inquiry into the sinking of the Queen of the North along the coast in March, whichclaimed two lives.

Union president Jackie Miller said the allegations by the former safety director for BC Ferries confirm concerns about safety that the union has raised over the years.

She said a judicial review is necessary to get to the truth of what happened the night the Queen of the North, which was carrying 101 passengers and crew, ran onto rocks on Gil Island in Wright Sound, southeast of Prince Rupert.

"It's my understanding that a judicial review requires that oaths are sworn and evidence is taken in, and it bears more weight in that the recommendation, in my understanding of it, become binding."

'Multitude of errors'

The union move follows the release of a 22-page affidavit by the ferry corporation's former safety director, Darin Bowland, which lists numerous safety problems aboard the fleet.

Bowland said he believes faulty or insufficient training in using the equipment on the bridge may have been one of the causes of the sinking.

He quit shortly after the sinking of the Queen of the North on March 22. He later launched a wrongful dismissal suit, which he dropped last week.

Now, he has gone public with his allegations about safety problems at BC Ferries. He said he found hundreds of deficiencies during his six weeks on the job.

He said Wednesday that the tragedy was not the result of a single act, but rather a "multitude of errors that build up to a sinking like this."

There is already an investigation underway by the Transportation Safety Board into the sinking, as well as an internal inquiry by BC Ferries.

Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon, who is responsible for BC Ferries, isn't commenting on the union's demand.

BC Ferries president David Hahn said there are no records to back up Bowland's claims.