Marine transportation

Pacific Pilotage Authority oversight of pilotage waivers

The Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) is a Crown corporation that was created in 1972 under the Pilotage Act. The PPA has a mandate to establish, operate, maintain, and administer safe and efficient pilotage services in the coastal waters of British Columbia, including the Fraser River. Pilotage services are provided by licensed marine pilots, who are highly trained navigators that use their knowledge of local waters to direct a vessel and navigate it using the safest route.

Safety communications related to TSB investigation M21P0030: February 2021 sinking of the tug Ingenika in British Columbia

The occurrence

On 10 February 2021, while towing a loaded barge in the Gardner Canal near Kemano Bay, British Columbia, the tug Ingenika encountered adverse weather conditions which impacted its ability to tow and maintain speed, and eventually led to the vessel taking on water.

Findings from TSB investigation M21P0030: February 2021 sinking of the tug Ingenika in British Columbia

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex since an accident rarely results from a single cause. In the case of the February 2021 sinking of the tug Ingenika in British Columbia, which resulted in two crew member fatalities, several factors led to the accident. The three findings below detail the causes and contributing factors that led to this occurrence.

Safety communications related to TSB investigation M21A0065: April 2021 capsizing and loss of life of the fishing vessel Tyhawk

The occurrence

In the early hours of April 3, 2021, opening day for snow crab fishing in area 12 of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Tyhawk (M21A0065) departed from Chéticamp to the fishing grounds to set crab traps. During this trip, ice was accumulating on the vessel due to freezing rain.

Findings from TSB investigation M21A0065: Capsizing and loss of life of the fishing vessel Tyhawk

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex since an accident rarely results from a single cause. In the case of the April 2021 capsizing of the fishing vessel Tyhawk (M21A0065) which resulted in the death of two crew members, several factors led to the sinking.

Safety communications related to TSB investigation M20A0434: December 2020 sinking of the fishing vessel Chief William Saulis

The occurrence

On 15 December 2020, shortly after midnight, the fishing vessel Chief William Saulis, with six crew members on board, departed Chignecto Bay, New Brunswick, to return to port in Digby, Nova Scotia. Shortly after 0550, the vessel’s emergency position-indicating radio beacon activated, 12 nm off the coast of Digby.

Findings from TSB investigation M20A0434 Sinking of the fishing vessel Chief William Saulis

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex since an accident rarely results from a single cause. In the case of the December 2020 sinking of the fishing vessel Chief William Saulis which resulted in 5 crew members missing, several factors led to the accident. The three findings below detail the causes and contributing factors that led to this occurrence.

Safety communications related to TSB investigation M20A0160: Fatal sinking of the fishing vessel Sarah Anne in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador in May 2020

The occurrence

On 25 May 2020 shortly after midnight, the fishing vessel Sarah Anne, with 4 people on board, departed St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador, to fish snow crab in Placentia Bay. The Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre in Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, received an overdue report at 7:45pm NT that evening.

Findings from TSB investigation M20A0160 – Fatal sinking of the fishing vessel Sarah Anne in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador in May 2020

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex since an accident rarely results from a single cause. In the case of the fatal sinking of the fishing vessel Sarah Anne on 25 May, 2020, several factors led to the accident. The 7 findings below detail the causes and contributing factors that led to this occurrence.

Safety communications related to TSB investigation M18C0225 – August 2018 grounding of passenger vessel Akademik Ioffe in Nunavut

Safety action required

Risk mitigation required for vessels transiting Canadian Arctic waters

On 24 August 2018, the passenger vessel Akademik Ioffe ran aground on an uncharted shoal 78 nautical miles north-northwest of Kugaaruk, Nunavut.