Hartley Bay band files lawsuit over Queen of North

The British Columbia court system now has another lawsuit to deal with in connection with the March 2006 sinking of the Queen of the North ferry.

The Hartley Bay Indian band has filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court, suing for damages that resulted from the sinking of the huge vehicle and passenger ferry.

B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall confirmed the lawsuit had been filed but said she could not comment further.

She said the latest lawsuit brings to three the number of legal actions that have been launched as a result of the sinking of the ferry that claimed two lives.

The band has been upset since the sinking because the wreck lies in deep saltwater and had sporadically been leaking fuel that the natives claim is damaging their fishing grounds.

The vessel sank after striking Gil Island at full speed.