Two Years After

 

Laura

Two years have now passed since the terrible night on which Picton Castle crew member Laura Gainey was lost over the side while the ship was bound south from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to the Caribbean.

In the many months since this tragedy, the management of the Sail Training Ship Picton Castle has provided its full cooperation to investigations carried out first by maritime authorities in the Cook Islands, our flag state, and more recently by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). We respectfully acknowledge the professional work of the investigators.

The TSB report sheds light on important issues and considerations for a ship getting ready for sea and being managed safely at sea. We accept their findings and take their critiques and recommendations seriously.

We have also undergone an independent Extraordinary Safety Audit and a Port State Control inspection by Transport Canada. And we have carried out our own exhaustive examination of all policies, procedures, equipment and training.

It is not easy to watch our sail training program, which has been built up with such hard work and care over the years, broken down under the harsh view of a microscope. However, we have done so in the genuine belief that we and indeed all mariners are duty bound to learn all that we can from this tragedy.

The challenges and dangers of going to sea can never be eliminated, no vessel or program is immune from potential accident, but as mariners it is our task to reduce and minimize these risks as much as we can through any means available.

We hope that other sail training operations will avail themselves of the opportunity to learn all they can from this casualty, what could have been done differently and what we have done to upgrade the outfitting of this ship and her overall effective safety management. 

The safety gear, stability and outfitting of the Picton Castle compares favourably with North American regulations for sail training ships, as well as those of other maritime nations. Additionally, since our inaugural world voyage more than 10 years ago, we have instituted upgrades to our ship on a regular basis. However, in light of this incident, we have made a significant number of additional upgrades, and this review and improvement will continue, as it should, to ensure we sail the safest ship we can.

2006-2008 upgrades include:

  • All staff crew and any volunteers must now have STCW Basic Safety Training as a condition of engagement in addition to onboard safety training and other marine certificates they may hold.
  • Fitting of a new bigger and stronger rescue boat, with personal locator beacons for the boat crew, and a SART radar beacon 
  • Fitting of a second EPIRB to be deployed in the event of an MOB, or taken in the rescue boat
  • The addition of a wire jack line for hooking into, running along the entire length of the breezeways on both sides of the vessel
  • Custom fitted nets for the port and starboard breezeways in addition to the amidships nets, providing complete passive restraint
  • New harnesses that are more adaptable for different conditions and applications
  • Compilation of an advanced Safety Manual that includes extensive policies and procedures
  • Expanded Crew Handbook that includes additional safety and emergency information
  • Installation of red night vision lights under the main deck rails to provide basic illumination on dark nights and as required

No matter what positive lessons may be forthcoming from the examination of this loss, no lessons learned, no matter how beneficial, can hope to balance against the cost of a young life cut short. It is not truly possible for us to express how devastatingly sorry we, and all who work with this ship, are for this. Laura Gainey was a remarkable young woman and shipmate, treasured by all who sailed with her. She was much loved onboard and is greatly missed.

Anyone with questions about the Picton Castle, our safety policies, procedures, equipment and training is encouraged to contact the ship’s office at any time at 902 634-9984 or to visit the section titled Safety is Priority here on this website.

For the full TSB report, click here

Finally, we wish to extend our sincere thanks for the kindness shown all of us, crew and shore staff, throughout this very trying ordeal. Your support has been invaluable.

Sincerely,

Captain Daniel Moreland
Master
Barque Picton Castle