Queen of the North - Update 10
Monday, October 23rd, 2006 - 9:28 pm
CKNW Radio has revived reported rumours of a romantic relationship on the bridge of the Queen of the North that somehow contributed to the sinking of the ferry. Two crew members have so far refused to co-operate with BC Ferries (BCF) own investigation into the sinking. BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union (BCFMWU) President Jackie Miller says the union will release its own report on the sinking in mid-November.
The union suggests BCF is behind the romance rumour, hoping to deflect attention away from safety concerns. The union has supported calls from former BC Ferries safety director Darin Bowland for a public inquirey into safety standards at BCF.
Bowland was critical of the change BCF made in June 2006 that lowered the qualification standard for its ship captains. BCF said it must move younger people up the ranks more quickly because so many captains were retiring, and it now faces a worldwide shortage of chief officers. (Sources: CKNW “More to come on ferry sinking”; “Rumours of wheelhouse romance persist”; CBC Vancouver)
