Police Clarify Role in Sinking Probe

By 250 News

The Queen of the North as she rests in 1400 water on the ocean floor, photo courtesy Transportation Safety Board

Some clarification today on just what the R.C.M.P. are  doing in connection with the sinking of the Queen of the North.

There had been reports  a criminal investigation was underway, but that is not the case, says Staff Sargeant John Ward of "E" Division Communications

Acording to Ward, it is too early to determine if a Criminal investigation is warranted.  He says  the RCMP are "working within the legislative framework that includes, the Canada Shipping Act, the Coroner's Act, and Criminal Code to determine if there are any grounds to begin a Statutory Investigation."

He does confirm, the  RCMP  is "conducting an impartial investigation into the two missing passengers."  He also says the RCMP is helping Transportation Safety Board investigators  to "determine all the circumstances that led to the sinking of the Queen of the North off Gil Island in Wright Sound. "

Meantime, the BC Ferries and BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union have issued a plea to media and the public.  In a special release, they ask  the public and media to "respect the rights and privacy of those involved in the investigation into the grounding and loss of the Queen of the North on March 22, 2006."

The release says the integrity of the Transportation Safety Board process is paramount and it is in the interest of the public and those involved in  transportation safety that the investigation is undertaken.

"BC Ferries and the BCFMWU are requesting that the public and media allow the passengers, crew and rescuers who were involved in the incident time to work through this traumatic event."

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