B.C. Ferries Defends Crew

According to reports, the head of B.C. Ferries is questioning the suggestion that a lack of crew training may have played a role in the sinking of the Queen of the North. The company was interviewed after a letter was sent from the Transportation Safety Board. The safety board's letter outlined its preliminary findings into the March incident. The company said that the ferries crews are extremely well trained and qualified, but the letter says crew members were unfamiliar with the Queen of the North's new steering and navigation system. The ferry hit an island and sank to the bottom of Wright Sound south of Prince Rupert on March 22. Ninety-nine passengers and crew survived, but two are missing and presumed drowned. Source: Canadian Press