Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Two Mini Subs on Way to Sinking Site

By 250 News

Nuytco Research Limited  of Vancouver has been hired by B.C. Ferries  to  have two of its single man  "Deep Worker " mini subs  (like the one shown at left,  photo courtesy Nuyttco Research) take  a look at the wreckage of the Queen of the North.

The subs are being trucked to Campbell River today, and will arrive by  ship  in Prince Rupert some time tomorrow.  It is unlikely the seven person crew will be able to start their  initial search of the wreck until late tomorrow afternoon.  They are expected to get fully underway Sunday,  but may do a preliminary dive late tomorrow to see what they are dealing with.

At this point there is no indication the mini subs will be  used to  try and find the two missing passengers, Gerald Foisy and Shirley Rosette, and there are no robotic, or remote controlled subs  on the way to look inside the ship.  

Nuytco President, Phil Nuytten says his crews will  try to assess the condition of the wreckage, how much fuel is leaking and from where.  The job is more of an environmental assessment than anything else. 

Although it is  difficult to say how long it will take to complete the job, Nuytten says "The assessment should be complete in days, not weeks."   

Nuytten says it  is doubtful B.C. Ferries would be interested in  salvaging the ship "My understanding is that it is too deep" he says , plus, there is no telling at this point  how much of the ship is intact.

B.C. Ferries CEO David Hahn has now confirmed the Queen of the North sank after hitting Gil Island at a speed of about 19 knots, the ferry's top speed is 20 knots.  It is not clear on how the ferry  came to be so far off course when it ran aground early Wednesday morning.

B.C. Ferries has  made some arrangements to ensure people on the northern routes will have service:
-Air travel is being arranged for customers booked to travel on the northern routes. Customers will be contacted to confirm plans.
-Barge service is being implemented for the transportation of goods to northern communities. Note that private vehicles cannot be accommodated at this time. 
-B.C. Ferries' plan to deploy the Queen of Prince Rupert and restore passenger and vehicle service is almost complete. 
-Schedule information will be provided as soon as possible. 




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