Marine transportation safety investigation M26C0062

Table of contents

    Striking of a bridge 
    Heavy lift transport BBC Tokyo
    Port Colborne, Ontario

    The occurrence 

    On 16 April 2026, the heavy lift transport  BBC Tokyo, under the conduct of a pilot, struck the east side of the Clarence Street Bridge (Bridge 21) while transiting down the Welland Canal, in Port Colbourne, Ontario. 

    Following the occurrence, the vessel was stopped in Lock 8 for a preliminary inspection of the starboard side hull damage. The BBC Tokyo was subsequently granted permission by the Seaway to continue its voyage to Hamilton, Ontario.

    As a result of the collision, the bridge sustained damage and was closed for several hours for inspection and repairs. The TSB deployed a team and is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    TSB is deploying a team of investigators following an incident involving cargo vessel BBC Tokyo

    Investigation information

    Photos

    The BBC Tokyo docked in Hamilton, Ontario, a few days after striking the Clarence Street Bridge in the Welland Canal (Source: TSB)

      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

    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.

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