HALIFAX - An investigation into the sinking of a French cargo ship off of Newfoundland, with the loss of four crew, has concluded the vessel was overloaded when it left harbour.
The Cap Blanc capsized on Dec. 1, 2008, as it was travelling from Argentia, N.L., to the French islands of St-Pierre-Miquelon.
The report by the Paris-based Office of Inquiries and Analysis of Sea Accidents says the ship flipped over just before 9 p.m. local time in an area that was out of reach of radio transmission.
Investigators with the French agency concluded that loading 204 tonnes of salt bags onto the vessel was "likely to put the vessel in jeopardy" if it was faced with rough seas and swells coming at the freighter from the side.
Investigators say the load meant the freighter was sitting too low in the water for winter conditions.
The report adds that it's likely the vessel ended up sideways to oncoming winds and three-metre waves, and that the ship's steering may have broken when the captain attempted to correct its course.
