Cap Rouge II

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada reports that "On the morning of August 13, 2002, the commercial salmon fishing vessel Cap Rouge II was bound for the entrance of the main arm of the Fraser River, British Columbia. When the vessel was approximately two miles south of Sand Heads Light, it capsized with seven persons on board. Two persons abandoned the vessel and climbed into a skiff being towed by the fishing vessel. Five persons, including two children, remained within the overturned hull and drowned." "The Cap Rouge II was a small fishing vessel of closed construction, having an all-welded aluminum single-chine hull with a transom stern, incorporating an hydraulic fish loading ramp which was generally maintained in the raised position. The hull below the main deck was subdivided by transverse watertight bulkheads, enclosing (from forward) the crew accommodation space, engine room, two forward and two after insulated fish holds divided by a centreline bulkhead, and a lazarette in which the hydraulic steering gear was located. Built-in diesel tanks were arranged on the port and starboard sides of the engine room and the lazarette, and a fresh water storage tank was located under the crew accommodation forward of the engine room. The vessel was powered by a marine diesel engine with a reverse/reduction gear box driving a single fixed-pitch propeller and was fitted with a single plate centreline rudder. The vessel was generally engaged in seine fishing operations and was equipped with an hydraulic purse seining winch and net storage drum. The main mast, located near midships, was rigged with a cargo boom, fitted with hydraulic topping lift and vanging winches. The mast was also fitted with a crosstree and rigging, providing for the vertical stowage and deployment of a pair of outrigger booms, equipped with roll reduction paravanes (often referred to as stabilizers). An aluminum superstructure enclosed the wheelhouse, captain's cabin, galley, mess, washroom, engine room access, and escape hatch. A weathertight hinged door, giving access to the forecastle deck, was located on the starboard side of the wheelhouse. A combined hinged hatch cover and door on the centreline at the after end of the wheelhouse provided an alternative exit and also gave access to the outside steering position, located on top of the main deckhouse. A weathertight hinged door, giving access from the galley to the after end of the main deck, was located to starboard of the centreline in the after end bulkhead of the deckhouse. The raised wheelhouse was arranged with a comprehensive outfit of communications and navigation equipment, including radar, VHF radio, depth sounder, compass, autopilot, navigation lights and sound signals control panels."