Marine transportation

Investigation findings from TSB investigation M18C0225 – August 2018 grounding of passenger vessel Akademik Ioffe near the Astronomical Society Islands, Nunavut

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 grounding of the Akademik Ioffe in Nunavut in 2018, several factors led to the accident. The seven findings below detail the causes and contributing factors that led to this occurrence.

New and previous TSB recommendations to address the risk of fatigue in the marine sector

Grounding and sinking of the Nathan E. Stewart (M16P0378)

On 13 October 2016, shortly after 0100 Pacific Daylight Time, the articulated tug-barge composed of the tug Nathan E. Stewart and the tank barge DBL 55 went aground on Edge Reef near Athlone Island, approximately 10 nautical miles west of Bella Bella, British Columbia, in Heiltsuk First Nation's traditional territory.

Fatigue in the marine industry: risk factors, mitigation strategies and fatigue management

Fatigue is widely recognized as a hazard in the transportation industry. In the marine sector, it has contributed to many accidents internationally. Since 1993, the TSB has made six recommendations to help reduce the risk of fatigue in marine transportation, particularly among marine pilots, dispatching staff and watchkeepers.

Response to the grounding and sinking of the Nathan E. Stewart – Roles and responsibilities (M16P0378)

The occurrence

On 13 October 2016, shortly after 0100 Pacific Daylight Time, the articulated tug-barge composed of the tug Nathan E. Stewart and the tank barge DBL 55 went aground on Edge Reef near Athlone Island, approximately 10 nautical miles west of Bella Bella, British Columbia, in the Heiltsuk First Nation's traditional territory.

Investigation findings (M16P0378) 2016 grounding and sinking of the Nathan E. Stewart

Findings as to causes and contributing factors

1. The second mate, who was working alone on the bridge, was fatigued.
2. The second mate fell asleep and did not make the planned course alteration, and the articulated tug-barge struck and grounded on a reef.
3. The navigational alarms were not used and a bridge navigational watch alarm system was not available; the use of thes

Safety communications for TSB investigation (M16A0140) into the 2016 fatal capsizing of a fishing vessel near Salmon Beach, New Brunswick

Occurrence

On 16 June 2016, the small fishing vessel C19496NB, with three crew members on board, capsized approximately 0.5 nautical miles from Miller Brook Wharf, Salmon Beach, New Brunswick. The three crew members were thrown into the cold water.

Investigation findings (M16A0140) into the 2016 fatal capsizing of a fishing vessel near Salmon Beach, New Brunswick

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex – an accident is never caused by just one factor. The June 2016 accident near Miller Brook Wharf, Salmon Beach, New Brunswick, was no exception. There were many factors that caused this accident, the details of which are contained in the seven findings as to causes and contributing factors.

Safety communications for TSB investigation (M15P0347) into the October 2015 capsizing and sinking of the passenger vessel Leviathan II off Plover Reefs in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia

Occurrence

On 25 October 2015, at approximately 1500 Pacific Daylight Time, the passenger vessel Leviathan II was on a whale-watching excursion with 27 people on board when it capsized off Plover Reefs in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia.

Investigation findings (M15P0347) in the October 2015 capsizing and sinking of the passenger vessel Leviathan II off Plover Reefs in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex – an accident is never caused by just one factor. The October 2015 accident off Plover Reefs in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, was no exception.

Queen of the North - Investigation Chronology

22 March 2006 - At 0021, Queen of the North strikes Gil Island and sinks.

27 and 28 March 2006 - TSB oversees BC Ferries dive on vessel. Vessel found sitting upright on the bottom with bridge accessible.

31 March to 15 June 2006 - Investigation post-field phase, including follow-up witness interviews, passenger surveys, document collection, formulation of event timeline, and analysis of potential safety issues.