THE heroism of passengers and crews on a whale-watching vessel that capsized in Canada has been praised by the captain.

Five Britons, including Nigel Hooker, 63, from Hedge End, were killed when the boat was struck by a wave in British Columbia last Sunday.

In a statement reported by the local press, Wayne Dolby said: "Over the past week we have rightly heard of the courage and heroism of the people of Tofino, Ahousaht, the coast guard and others who assisted in the search and rescue.

"What we have not heard as much about is the courage and heroism of my passengers and crew who were involved in this terrible ordeal.

"(To) most of all the families, friends and loved ones of those who did not come home, I want to express my heartfelt sympathies and I pray your grief for their loss will not stay with you as long as it will stay with me."

The boast capsized so quickly that no distress call was made.

The passengers on the Leviathan II were crowded on one side of the boat when it is thought it was struck on the opposite side by a large wave, according to the Transportation Safety Board.

Captain Dolby's statement was issued by the vessel's owner, Jamie's Whaling Station, where he has worked for 18 years.

Jamie's, in a statement, said the vessel was tested every year since it was converted into a wahle watching boat around 20 years ago.

"Jamie's would never have allowed a single passenger or anyone else to be on the water in a vessel that we were not absolutely confident was safe," said the statement.

The vessel has been towed into port where it will be examined by the TSB next week.

The body of ray Pillay, the boyfriend of Mr Hooker's daughter Danielle has still not been recovered.