IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
- Vessel Name: TRUE NORTH II
- Vessel Type: Glass-bottom Tour Boat
- Location: Georgian Bay, off the coast of Tobermory, Ontario, Canada
- Date of Sinking: June 16, 2000
- Length: 10.6 meters (approximately 35 feet)
- Final Disposition: Sunk in rough weather conditions during a tour
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
TRUE NORTH II was a small, glass-bottom tour boat designed for scenic excursions in the clear waters of Georgian Bay. The vessel was commonly used to give tourists a view of the underwater environment, especially around the Fathom Five National Marine Park. These boats are typically built to navigate calm waters, providing an immersive experience of the aquatic life below, but they are not designed for navigating rough seas or adverse weather conditions.
HISTORY #
On June 16, 2000, the TRUE NORTH II embarked on a routine tour, carrying 13 students who had just completed an overnight field trip to Flowerpot Island. The vessel set out from Tobermory despite warnings from weather services about severe conditions, including near gale-force winds and rain. The captain, who had received these warnings, decided to proceed with the trip, a decision that would later come under intense scrutiny.
The boat’s voyage took a tragic turn when it began to take on water in the rough seas. With little time to react, the vessel sank, claiming the lives of two young students, Wade Simmons and Henrike Foerster. The surviving passengers, including 11 classmates, managed to swim to shore, but the emotional scars of the incident would remain with them for life. The absence of lifejackets on the passengers at the time of the sinking further compounded the tragedy, highlighting gaps in safety protocols.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The sinking of TRUE NORTH II was ultimately ruled as an accident. However, the incident led to a formal inquest, which brought to light several critical safety issues, including the decision to sail in dangerous conditions and the inadequate lifejacket provision. The investigation called for more stringent regulations for tour operators, particularly those carrying school groups, to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of TRUE NORTH II is located off the coast of Tobermory, Ontario, in Georgian Bay. The incident and its aftermath were widely covered by local media and investigated by the authorities. The exact location of the wreck has not been designated as a dive site due to the nature of the incident and its tragic outcome.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
- Hazards: The area around Tobermory and Georgian Bay can be treacherous during rough weather. Mariners are advised to heed all weather warnings and ensure that all safety equipment, including lifejackets, is accessible and in good condition.
- Regulations: Following the incident, there has been an increased focus on the enforcement of safety regulations for passenger vessels, particularly those engaged in educational or tourist activities.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
- News Coverage: Coverage of the inquest and the subsequent safety regulations were reported extensively by Canadian news outlets, and archived articles can be found online.
CONCLUSION #
The sinking of the TRUE NORTH II serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and respecting the power of nature, especially on the Great Lakes, where weather conditions can change rapidly and unpredictably. This tragedy led to calls for improved safety measures in the boating industry, ensuring that the lessons learned from this incident would not be forgotten.
KEYWORDS #
TRUE NORTH II, Georgian Bay, Tobermory, Glass-bottom Boat, Shipwreck, Maritime Tragedy, Lake Huron, Boat Safety, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History
