National

Tofino Whale-watching Company Says Capsizing That Killed 6 People Was 'Act Of God'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 May, 2016 11:24 AM

VANCOUVER — The owner of a whale-watching vessel that capsized on Vancouver Island, killing six people, describes the tragedy as an "act of God" arising from unforeseeable ocean conditions.

Court documents filed by Jamie Bray of Tofino, B.C., in response to a proposed class-action lawsuit say Jamie's Whaling Station was complying with Transport Canada regulations when the craft flipped on Oct. 25, 2015.

Brothers Christian and Dirk Barchfeld filed the legal action last month, accusing the company of negligence for allowing the Leviathan II to overturn in treacherous conditions.

Captain Wayne Dolby is also named in the suit, in addition to Bray and his nature tour company.

Five Britons and an Australian died after the 20-metre vessel capsized with two dozen passengers and three crew on board.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. Appeal Court Rules Against Pro-life Student Club In Failed Charter Argument

VANCOUVER — A free-speech battle by opponents of abortion at the University of Victoria has been shut down by British Columbia's highest court.

B.C. Appeal Court Rules Against Pro-life Student Club In Failed Charter Argument

Canadian Competition Bureau Completes Google Investigation Started In 2013

The Competition Bureau says Google Inc. has agreed not to reintroduce clauses in some of its agreements with advertisers that the regulator says are anti-competitive.

Canadian Competition Bureau Completes Google Investigation Started In 2013

States Seek Ways To Regulate Steep Air-Ambulance Costs

HELENA, Mont. — The first time Jason Ebert needed an air ambulance, it saved his life. The second time, it nearly broke the bank.

States Seek Ways To Regulate Steep Air-Ambulance Costs

Alberta Government Faces Questions On Possible Domino Effect Of Carbon Levy

EDMONTON — Premier Rachel Notley's government defended its carbon tax Monday in the face of suggestions that it will cost families a lot more than expected.

Alberta Government Faces Questions On Possible Domino Effect Of Carbon Levy

Water Agency Warns Of Rapid Snow Melt As Temperatures Climb Above Seasonal

REGINA — People in eastern Saskatchewan may be enjoying temperatures near 20 C, but the Water Security Agency has a warning to go with the warm weather.

Water Agency Warns Of Rapid Snow Melt As Temperatures Climb Above Seasonal

Eradication Of Zika-Spreading Mosquito In Brazil Unlikely

RECIFE, Brazil — In the 1940s and 1950s, Brazilian authorities made such a ferocious assault on Aedes aegypti — the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus — that it was eradicated from Latin America's largest country by 1958.