Active

MV Queen of the North

IMO: 6917267

Overview

About This Vessel

MV Queen of the North was a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry built by AG Weser of Germany and operated by BC Ferries, which ran along an 18-hour route along the British Columbia Coast of Canada between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, a route also known as the Inside Passage. On March 22, 2006, with 101 people aboard, she failed to make a planned course change, ran aground and sank (around 1400 ft). Two passengers, whose bodies were never found, died in the incident. The ship had a gross register tonnage of 8,806 (the fifth largest in fleet), and an overall length of 125 metres (410 ft) (14th longest in the fleet). She had a capacity of 700 passengers and 115 cars.

Compliance

Safety Record

Marine casualties8

GroundingSerious
Mar 22, 2006JUAN POINT, GILL ISLAND, BC, BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
At 2000 on 21 March 2006, the passenger and vehicle ferry Queen of the North departed Prince Rupert, British Columbia, for Port Hardy, British Columbia. On board were 59 passengers and 42 crew members. After entering Wright Sound from Grenville Channel, the vessel struck the northeast side of Gil Island at approximately 0021 on March 22. The vessel sustained extensive damage to its hull, lost its propulsion, and drifted for about 1 hour and 17 minutes before it sank in 430 m of water. Passengers and crew abandoned the vessel before it sank. Two passengers were unaccounted for after the abandonment and have since been declared dead.
Machinery FailureMinor
Jul 21, 2005SEAFORTH CHANNEL, B.C., BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
On 21 July 2005, the P/F "QUEEN OF THE NORTH" experienced steering problems whilst in Seaforth Channel, B.C. Repairs affected on board.
Near-MissMinor
Sep 2, 2004GENN ISLANDS, B.C., BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
On 02 September 2004, the P/F "QUEEN OF THE NORTH" reported a close quarters situation with the U.S. registered P/C "DRAGON LADY IV", near Genn Islands, B.C.
Near-MissMinor
Jul 24, 2004ABEAM POINTER ISLAND, B.C., BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
On 24 July 2004, the P/F "QUEEN OF THE NORTH" had a near collision with the F/V "FAT 168", near Pointer Island, B.C.
Machinery FailureMinor
Jan 30, 2004VICTORIA HARBOUR, B.C., BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
On 30 January 2004, the P/F "QUEEN OF THE NORTH" suffered a steering gearl breakdown caused by a broken shear pin in the actuating lever while departing Victoria Harbour, B.C.
Near-MissMinor
Oct 1, 2003ADAM RIVER, JOHNSTONE STRAIT, B.C., BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
On 01 October, 2003, the P/F "QUEEN OF THE NORTH" and the F/V "JIBORE" were involved in a close quarters situation near Adam River in Johnstone Strait, B.C.
Near-MissMinor
Jul 21, 2001BELLA BELLA, BC, BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
On 21 July, 2001, Ferry "QUEEN OF THE NORTH" reported a close quarters situation with a Herring Skiff "UNK/INC" .
CollisionSerious
Jun 14, 2001BELLA BELLA, B.C., BRITISH COLUMBIA (BC)
An unknown herring skiff manouvered dangerously close to P/F "QUEEN OF THE NORTH" striking her stern and leaving the scene. No damage to the "QUEEN OF THE NORTH", damage unknown to the herring skiff.