Passenger crowding and a broadside wave might have capsized a whale watching off Tofino, British Columbia on Sunday resulting in the demise of six folks, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada stated late Tuesday.

The replace was supplied as a part of the TSB’s ongoing investigation into the sinking of the passenger vessel Leviathan II. The vessel was carrying 24 passengers and three crew when it capsized and sank Sunday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. PDT throughout a whale watching tour off Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. So far, the our bodies of 5 folks have been recovered and a search continues for one lacking individual.

In its replace, the TSB says that the its area investigation revealed that on the time of the incident, many of the passengers and crew have been on the highest deck of vessel on the port aspect. The vessel then broached and capsized when a wave approached the vessel from the starboard quarter, the TSB stated. One life raft was deployed and one other was activated together with two hand flares and a parachute rocket, the TSB added.

Since arriving in Tofino on Monday, TSB investigators have met with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which was concerned within the preliminary rescue operation, and performed interviews with crew and a few of the survivors. The investigators have been anticipated to look at the vessel on Wednesday to find out find out how to get well any electronics that will assist in the investigation.

“They will also examine the vessel to understand its condition at the time of the accident,” the TSB stated in its assertion. “This will include reviewing stability information at the time of its construction, and examining any modifications that have been made since its initial construction that may have affected its stability. Further, the team will be examining the various weights and their position onboard at the time of the accident which will allow TSB naval architects to assess the vessel’s stability at the time of the occurrence. The team will also look at the maintenance and inspection records of the vessel, including life-saving appliances.”

The Canadian Coast Guard vessel Cape Ann has towed the Leviathan II to the north aspect of Vargas Island.

The TSB reiterates that the small print which were launched is predicated on preliminary info and shouldn’t be used to attract any conclusions about what led to the accident.

The video under was filmed by one of many first boats on scene following the accident and reveals the Leviathan II bobbing within the waves and a life raft deployed, though it doesn’t seem that anybody is onboard.

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