Colin Henthorne discusses his new book The Queen of the North Disaster: The Captain’s Story (Harbour Publishing, 2016), with Joseph Planta.

The Queen of the North Disaster: The Captain’s Story by Colin Henthorne (Harbour Publishing, 2016). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Queen of the North Disaster

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

In the midnight hour of 22 March 2006, the Queen of the North strikes a reef off of Gil Island, which is 135 kilometres south of Prince Rupert. The boat is carrying 101 passengers and is soon evacuated. The ship’s bottom and propellers are ripped out, and in less than an hour it sinks. Two passengers are missing and presumed dead. To this day Shirley Rosette and Gerald Foisey have never been found. A new book The Queen of the North Disaster: The Captain’s Story sheds some light as to what happened, especially in the aftermath. Joining me now is Colin Henthorne. He was a long-time employee of BC Ferries, and was the ship’s captain. He wasn’t on the bridge at the time of the accident. He was asleep, but was quickly awakened, and soon directs the evacuation. In the decade since, Karen Briker, who was on the bridge at the time, was fired, and Karl Lilgert, the ship’s Fourth Mate, was charged with criminal negligence causing death, and is serving a sentence of four years in prison. Mr. Henthorne recalls the ill-fated voyage, as well as highlights the repercussions on him and the crew. Also, he dispels the rumours and innuendo surrounding what happened that night. It’s a fascinating book about a modern marine disaster. It also recounts the difficulties Mr. Henthorne faced in the years since especially the protracted difficulties with BC Ferries since. Born in Vancouver, Colin Henthorne has spent all of his life living and working on the water. He was a master with BC Ferries starting in 1990. He currently a Canadian Coast Guard Rescue Coordinator at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria BC. This new book is from Harbour Publishing. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, in North Saanich, British Columbia, Colin Henthorne; Mr. Henthorne, good morning.

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