Human error blamed for Washington State Ferry collision
Nov 13, 2013, 4:19 PM | Updated: 5:12 pm
Human error is being blamed for the crash of the Ferry Hyak and a motor yacht in September, the Washington Department of Transportation has determined.
The collision happened in the San Juan Islands as the ferry tried to overtake the small boat, with the Hyak’s starboard bow running into the port quarter of the yacht.
The lone occupant of the yacht Tasya was rescued by a nearby vessel and taken to Orcas Island.
WSF convened a Board of Inquiry the same day. Investigators determined the incident was avoidable and the ferry had “adequate time, equipment capability and ‘sea room’ to avoid the collision.”
The board collected a wide array of data and information and spent more than 30 hours meeting to examine evidence and make its determination.
The report blames the “Captain’s lack of situational awareness in combination with the Second Mate’s inexperience at the helm of the M/V Hyak.”
The head of the ferry system, WSDOT assistant secretary David Moseley, says the investigation was thorough and the focus is now on “making improvements to prevent future incidents.”
Mosely says the report will be referred to the ferry system director of operations and human resources for further review and consideration.
