The Leviathan II has a temporary home in a berth at Ahousat General Store. It was towed into the area on Friday, Oct. 30.
Unfortunately, although the store had provided permission to bring the whale watching tour boat to its dock, Ahousaht elected Chief Greg Louie wasn’t notified that the boat was being moored on his doorstep. Not until Ha-Shilth-Sa got a hold of him late Friday evening.
He told us at that time that he would call the RCMP to find out who ordered the boat’s move there. He said that he was disappointed he wasn’t consulted or informed.
At the candlelight vigil, held on First Streel Dock in Tofino Nov. 1, Louie told Ha-Shilth-Sa that the RCMP informed him the boat was moved under the direction of the Transportation Safety Board and the insurance company involved in the accident claim.
The Leviathan had capsized off of Cleland Island and passengers and crew were rescued or recovered by Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht members, except for one lone male passenger, who remains missing.
Louie had been trying to get contact information for the insurance company over the weekend, but as of last night, that information hadn’t been provided.
Ha-Shilth-Sa asked Louie if he wanted the Leviathan moored there.
“Well, as long as it’s safe, and there’s no spillage… The Coast Guard came by yesterday and checked on any spillage and it’s good so far.” One of the bigger RCMP boats was at the site that day, he said. “So it seems to be safe, and not getting a lot of media attention,” he smiled, saying that might be the motivation for it being towed there. If it remained in Tofino it would be a distraction.
“I was very surprised,” that Ahousaht Nation wasn’t notified, Louie said. “Shocked, actually, when I found out that it was being brought into Ahousaht.”
Louie said he had a very brief meeting with a Sgt. Mumford from Tofino detachment. “He came directly to Ahousaht to apologize to me. He said it was his fault for the lack of communication.” Louie said it was good of him to make that effort.
People of Ahousaht have concerns about spillage, especially as the boat was towed past important herring spawn areas.
“Ya, around our Ahousaht territory… ya, that’s a concern… It has been on my mind,” said Louie. “I’m glad the Coast Guard was checking. At this point there wasn’t any (fuel leaks).”
Some were concerned that seeing the wreckage might bring up difficult memories for the rescuers and others in Ahousaht who themselves have lost relatives on area waters.
“There are some elders that are affected, not just from seeing the boat but knowing about this accident. There have been many families in Ahousaht that have been affected by drownings, boats lost at sea, families lost at sea… It’s opening up some wounds.”
“I got a little bit set back when I saw it,” said rescuer Ken Brown. He and his fishing partner Clarence Smith were the first to respond to the only flare set off to indicate there was trouble.
Brown didn’t know the Leviathan II was coming into Ahousaht, he said. After it was there though, he went to see it for the first time since last week. He said the boat was really banged up with the back portion of the front cabin missing, and “all the diesel in the air.”
But he wasn’t worried about the Leviathan being temporarily moored at the store dock.
Smith said “I was thinking it was probably the best place for it.” He said with all the family and passengers still in Tofino, they wouldn’t want them to have to see it.
“I felt the same way,” said Brown. “I felt that it was better in our territory than (Tofino).”
Louie said they don’t know how long the Leviathan II will be in Ahousaht, but once the TSB and the insurance company have done their work, it will be towed to Port Alberni.
