Centre of Gravity Off When Whale Watching Boat Sank Near Tofino

Investigators believe that the centre of gravity was thrown-off, potentially contributing to the sinking of whale watching vessel Leviathan II off the coast of Tofino on Sunday.

On Tuesday, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada provided an update, as to the most recent facts acquired in their investigation into the sinking.

Photo Credit: Albert Titian/Facebook.

What investigators found is that most of the boat's 24 passengers and crew were on the top deck and off to the port (left) side of the boat when it started to take on water.

Having a significant number of passengers on the top deck would have raised the centre of gravity, affecting the vessel’s stability, said the TSB.

Investigators are now looking into stability conditions, but they are not entirely sure if this might have contributed to the tragic accident, as the vessel would have encountered similar situations thousands of times without issue.

However, what the TSB does know for sure is that a wave approached the vessel from the starboard (right) quarter.

Shortly thereafter, the vessel broached (tilted up and rolled) and then capsized.

Photo Credit: Albert Titian/Facebook.

Two life rafts were on board and one was deployed and activated after the boat capsized.

Investigators are working with the RCMP to collect data and conduct interviews with the crew and some of the survivors.

On Wednesday, the team will examine the vessel to determine how to recover any electronics on-board that may help identify the exact position of the vessel at the time of the accident. They will also be looking at the vessel to get a better idea of the condition it was in during the time of the accident.

Also on Tuesday, the BC Coroners Service released the names of the five victims that perished in the Tofino sinking.

All were British nationals and range in age from 18 to 76. The vessel was the property of Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centres.