06-14-2006, 05:36 AM
Ex-BC Ferries safety director sues after sinking
Updated Tue. Jun. 13 2006 2:57 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
The former safety director of BC Ferries is suing the corporation, claiming the company did not pay attention to his warnings that a catastrophic incident was just waiting to happen.
Darin Bowland, who resigned after the sinking of the Queen of the North ferry in March, has filed a writ of summons in B.C. Supreme Court, claiming damages for negligent misrepresentation, wrongful dismissal and loss of reputation.
Rowland, who is a master mariner, was hired by BC Ferries as a director of safety, health and environment.
In his writ, Rowland claims BC Ferries told him that safety was a high priority but that after the sinking of the Queen of the North during the night of March 22, the company stopped him from conducting his own inquiry into the accident.
He says the corporation was negligent in leading him to believe safety was important and claims BC Ferries removed his contractual duty to investigate the accident, thereby "severely undermining" his authority as safety director.
Rowland adds that after he resigned on March 27, the corporation issued a "false and misleading'' statement that he had resigned for personal reasons.
He also says the corporation ruined his reputation by suggesting that Bowland had somehow been responsible for the sinking.
With files from the Canadian Press
Updated Tue. Jun. 13 2006 2:57 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
The former safety director of BC Ferries is suing the corporation, claiming the company did not pay attention to his warnings that a catastrophic incident was just waiting to happen.
Darin Bowland, who resigned after the sinking of the Queen of the North ferry in March, has filed a writ of summons in B.C. Supreme Court, claiming damages for negligent misrepresentation, wrongful dismissal and loss of reputation.
Rowland, who is a master mariner, was hired by BC Ferries as a director of safety, health and environment.
In his writ, Rowland claims BC Ferries told him that safety was a high priority but that after the sinking of the Queen of the North during the night of March 22, the company stopped him from conducting his own inquiry into the accident.
He says the corporation was negligent in leading him to believe safety was important and claims BC Ferries removed his contractual duty to investigate the accident, thereby "severely undermining" his authority as safety director.
Rowland adds that after he resigned on March 27, the corporation issued a "false and misleading'' statement that he had resigned for personal reasons.
He also says the corporation ruined his reputation by suggesting that Bowland had somehow been responsible for the sinking.
With files from the Canadian Press