Tofino whale-watching boat capsized after wave struck, says TSB

Most of the passengers and crew on the whale-watching boat that capsized nearTofino, B.C., on Sunday appear to have been on one side of the vessel's top deck when it was hit by a wave, the Transportation Safety Board saidat a news conference in Tofino.

"This would have raised the centre of gravity, affecting the vessel's stability," said Marc-Andr Poisson, the TSB's director of marine investigations.

He said the vessel then rolledand capsized.

"None of this preliminary information should be used in isolation to draw any conclusions at this point," said Poisson.

Poisson said four TSB investigators have interviewed the crew and some of the survivors of the ship since arriving Mondayon the scene, and havebeen working closely with the RCMP.

In an earlier update, Poisson had said a thoroughinvestigation could take months, but he said on Tuesday that preliminary conclusions may be presented earlier.

"If we uncover serious safety deficiencies throughout this investigation, we won't wait for the final report to make them known," he said.

Poisson said the investigators' next steps will be to inspect the vessel, including electronics on board and any modifications that may have been made that could have affected its stability.

There were 27 people on board the MV Leviathan IIwhen it capsized on the weekend, including three crew members. The B.C. Coroners Service confirmed the namesof thefive victims, all British nationals. One more passenger, an Australian man, is still missing.

• Tofino boat victims weren't wearing life-jackets, says B.C. Coroners Service
• Tofino boat rescue triggered by single flare that almost wasn't seen
• Tofino whale-watching accident: What caused the boat to capsize?
• VIDEO:Rescuers describe grim scene in Tofino, B.C.

RCMPdive team finds debris

Earlier on Tuesday, the RCMP dive team said it had found debris from the boat at the site of the capsizing.

RCMP Const. Jim Preston said that meant there might still be a recoverable body in the area.

Preston said conditions got too rough for the teamto continue, but it will head back onthe water on Wednesday probably for the last time.