VICTORIA - New Democrat Ferries Critic Gary Coons says B.C. Ferries needs to stop interfering and let the Transportation Safety Board do its job.

Coons is reacting to reports that B.C. Ferries Services Inc. CEO David Hahn wants to reopen their internal investigation into the sinking of the Queen of the North, which would serve to further delay the full report from the safety board.

"We've been waiting for nearly a year and a half for the full story behind the tragedy to come out," said Coons, the MLA for North Coast. "It's unacceptable for the report to be delayed any longer.

"The Transportation Safety Board has a responsibility to oversee the operations of our marine highway system. Mr. Hahn should stop interfering and let them do their job."

Hahn accused the safety board of having "an agenda," but it's not the first time he's been dismissive of the important role the TSB plays. Last May, the safety board sent Ferries an advisory letter, which criticized management practices and hinted that training deficiencies may have played a role in the sinking of the Queen of the North. Hahn called the letter "benign."

"It seems clear that Mr. Hahn is only interested in hearing what the safety board says if it agrees with his findings," said Coons. "The role of a safety regulator is to be impartial and to get at the truth, no matter how uncomfortable that might be for B.C. Ferries.

"Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon has said repeatedly that the TSB is responsible for ensuring safety on B.C. Ferries. He needs to back that up with action and insist that B.C. Ferries co-operate fully with the Transportation Safety Board."