The cargo vessel SUN SEA alongside D-jetty at CFB Esquimalt, minutes after arriving with a load of 492 Tamil migrants. Until recently, she went by the name of HARIN PANICH 19, but was renamed in Thailand and loaded with Tamils from Sri Lanka attempting to claim refugee status in another country. They were initially turned away by Australia and the United States before heading for Canada. They were intercepted and escorted into harbour by a heavy military and police contingent. Over the next few days, the migrants were brought off the ship, processed, and taken either to hospital or a temporary detention centre until their refugee claims could be verified and investigated. She has since been towed to Nanaimo, where she will stay until the entire investigation is complete.

Esquimalt Harbour
Aug 13, 2010