Preliminary report expected in January
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Dec 18/00) - Investigators looking into the sinking of a boat in Hudson Bay hope to issue a preliminary report next month.
Four crew members died when the Avataq, carrying 15,455 kilograms of construction material, sank Aug. 25 on its way to Arviat.
Transportation Safety Board (TSB) spokesperson Ken Potter said investigators are now analyzing data, looking for deficiencies and conducting risk assessments to see if other vessels are at risk.
Potter said time is an important consideration.
"We try and get them out as soon as possible and, if there's safety action required, we immediately notify whomever is in the position to rectify that deficiency.
"That would happen before the report comes out."
Potter is preparing a draft report which will be completed in January.
That report will be circulated for comment, from agencies like Transport Canada and search-and-rescue co-ordinators.
Recipients are then given a month to respond before the TSB refines the report.
"We may change it if there's new information given to us."
Potter said the TSB recognizes the need to get word the final report out before boats are back on the water in the Kivalliq in July.
"We're going to do our best for May, but I can't guarantee that due to the process involved," he said.
