Marine transportation safety investigation M25C0219

Table of contents

    Grounding
    General cargo vessel Rosaire A. Desgagnés
    Pelly Bay, Nunavut 

    The occurrence

    On 23 August 2025, the general cargo vessel Rosaire A. Desgagnés, carrying community resupply cargo, ran aground on an uncharted shoal in Pelly Bay, Nunavut.

    The vessel was refloated at high tide the next morning. With assistance from a Canadian Coast Guard vessel, an initial damage assessment was completed, and the Rosaire A. Desgagnés proceeded to Nanisivik, Nunavut, to offload its cargo. No pollution or injuries were reported.

    Following further damage assessment, the vessel continued to dry dock in the Canary Islands with a stop in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    TSB to deploy a team of investigators following the grounding of the cargo vessel Rosaire A. Desgagnés in Pelly Bay, Nunavut

    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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.