A mechanical failure of the strapping gear may have caused a DFO inflatable vessel to roll off a trailer onto its side while making a left turn from Jubilee Parkway onto Highway 19 in Campbell River on Monday morning.

A DFO Conservation and Protection (C&P) rigid inflatable patrol vessel, a Titan RHIB, unexpectedly detached from the trailer hitch while being towed on Highway 19 at the south end of Campbell River and rolled over onto its side around 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14.

鈥淪peed and driver error were not an issue,鈥� RCMP spokesperson Const. Maury Tyre said. 鈥淟oad had been secured. Mechanical failure of the strapping ratchet mechanism used to prevent weight shifts was believed to be the cause.鈥�

A DFO spokesperson said the C&P fishery officers towing the vessel were uninjured and no other vehicles were involved in the accident. The DFO trailer sustained minimal damage, the truck is undamaged, and the vessel was not carrying fuel at the time.

鈥淭he safety and security of Canadians and our staff are the top priority for DFO,鈥� DFO spokesperson Leri Davies said. 鈥淭he cause of the incident is currently being examined.鈥�

The vessel lay on its side blocking the northbound lane of the Inland Island Highway until approximately 1 p.m.

| editor@campbellrivermirror.com
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