The cut that led to the destruction of gondola cabins in September was made from the top of one of the support towers, according to a review by Technical Safety BC.
Technical Safety BC oversees the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment across British Columbia.
“The cut was made on the downhill side of the loop from the top of one of the support towers,” the report said.
The report also confirmed that the incident in September was result of the gondola’s main haul rope being deliberately cut.
“The design, installation and operation of the technical system is not considered to be a contributing factor,” the report says.
In a review released today by Technical Safety BC, the organisation says once enough of the wire strands making the rope were cut, the rope separated under the tension of the gondola and the attached cabins.
The Sea to Sky gondola haul rope supports the gondola cars and moves them along the length of the system is made of galvanized steel and is composed of 6 individual strands.
During the incident, several of the haul rope’s strands and wires were severed, and the remaining failed due to tension overload.
The haul rope is a continuous loop of steel wire rope that travels along supporting towers between the two terminals.
It is 2355 metre long, 52 mm nominal diameter, galvanized steel wire rope made up of six individual strands, wrapped around a solid plastic core, the report notes.
Each of the six strands is made up of 36 individual steel wires, with 216 total wires in the rope.
Technical Safety BC says it will continue to support the RCMP’s efforts in the criminal investigation. It is important the public understands that there are no systemic safety concerns with these kinds of systems, the agency said.
Donald Patrick says
So a 2 inch cable wire is cut and it is established it was strong enough for the safety of the users of the Gondola…. while that does instill confidence that the system is safe which was never in doubt …. Please find the cutters (or cutter) and hang them (it) by the balls from the top of that tower. The Gondola operation has been accepted as part of Squamish thus these acts are against all the citizens of the valley and justice must be finalized asap.