Tofino is a popular surfing and whale-watching resort near the Clayoquot area; Whale-watching season in Tofino begins in March and ends in late October Read full article. Whale-Watching Boat Sinks Near Tofino, B.C. Suggest a correction. TOFINO – For those who live and work in Tofino and in the nearby First Nations community of Ahousaht, the whale-watching boat accident … The crew of a whale-watching boat tried and failed to avoid a large breaking wave that sank the vessel, killing six off the Canadian coast. Vancouver whale watching tragedy: Boat was 'capsized by wave with no time to send mayday' Five Britons were … Posted October 26, 2015 9:59 am . The B.C. The capsizing of a whale-watching boat that led to at least five deaths near Tofino this weekend marks the second fatal incident and third major accident for Jamie's Whaling Station. … The whale-watching boat that capsized off the coast of Vancouver Island, killing five Britons, was sailing in waters that were dangerously exposed to … Social. "Everybody's heart is just breaking for what's going on here and wanting to be as helpful as possible," Josie Osborne said in a telephone interview late Sunday. In … By Anna Mehler Paperny Global News. 606 Campbell St, PO Box 129 Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0. CONTACT. "There's a lot of rocks in the area, but there's [deep] areas that you can go in-between rocks and view sea lions," Heise told CBC News. A senior employee of Jamie's Whaling Station, the company operating the boat, said the vessel sank so quickly the crew didn't have time to issue a mayday call. "You could see it in their eyes.". 606 Campbell St, PO Box 129 Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0. The last whale watching accident in Tofino happened in 1998, when two people were killed; In a statement on the company's website, owner Jamie Bray said: "It has been a … ", MORE ON WEATHER.COM: From January – Ship Grounded in the United Kingdom. October 26, 2015, 11:49 a.m. 1 / 3. Use up and down arrows to change selection. His girlfriend's father was among the five British citizens confirmed dead, AAP said. View map & get directions. Martin said his brother and two nephews were fishing for halibut in the area when they first heard a whistle blowing, followed by emergency calls on the radio. "You have the ocean currents running by the coast here, and the tides running out," said Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation member Joe Martin. 1-800-667-9913. A large, breaking wave hit the whale-watching vessel off British Columbia’s coast in Tofino October 2015, overturning the boat and dumping passengers and crew into the water. The drowning deaths of six people during a whale watching trip off British Columbia have been classified as accidental by the province's coroner's service. ABOUT US . Tofino whale-watching accident: Responders describe grim search for survivors. The ship was on the far side of Vargas Island in Clayoquot Sound, an area that Martin said can get really rough, but was not on Sunday. "I know firsthand of this coastal area's natural beauty and the many people who visit here from all around the world," said Trudeau, who won Canada's national election last week. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Tuesday said an Australian man was missing. The accident comes as a major blow to Tofino, a small town of about 2,000 people where whale watching and ecotourism are a big part of the economy. 1-800-667-9913. Tofino Whale-Watching Accident Survivors File Lawsuit. A fifth person, also from the UK, has yet to be identified. My wife! First Nations demand more search and rescue support. Update regarding COVID-19. News . Wildlife Tours. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police sent an underwater recovery team to search for the missing person, with assistance from the Coast Guard and local search and rescue personnel. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. It wasn't the first fatal accident on the whale watching company's record. Transportation officials must look at whether a whale-watching boat that sank near Tofino, killing at least five people Sunday, was too close to the shore, a marine safety expert said Tuesday. Geordon Omand, The Canadian Press CP. It wasn't the first fatal accident on the whale watching company's record. About The Resort ; Our Rooms; Tuff Fit Gym; How to Get Here; Fly Direct to Tofino Resort + Marina; Discover Tofino; Special Events; The Adventure. Welcome to Tofino Whale Watching Inc. 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