Sinking and loss of life
Fishing vessel Fortune Pride
Sambro, Nova Scotia
The occurrence
On 06 February 2025, the fishing vessel Fortune Pride, with 4 people on board, sank off Sambro, Nova Scotia. The crew activated the emergency position-indicating radio beacon and attempted to abandon the vessel in a 4-person rigid life raft.
A Canadian Coast Guard ship recovered 3 crew members from the water. The 4th crew member was recovered from the overturned life raft by the Canadian Coast Guard with assistance from a Canadian Forces helicopter. Two crew members were pronounced dead. The TSB deployed a team and is investigating the occurrence.
Investigation information
M25A0022
Sinking and loss of life
Fishing vessel Fortune Pride
Sambro, Nova Scotia
Photos
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.