Marine investigation M12W0070

Overturned vessel in Skookumchuck Narrows, BC

The occurrence

On 03 June 2012, the fast response vessel Lewis-McPhee from Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 12, based in Halfmoon Bay, overturned in Skookumchuck Narrows, British Columbia, during a training exercise. Four people were on board: two were fatally injured, while the two others were recovered and taken to the hospital.

The TSB has opened an investigation which is led by the Investigator-in-Charge William Dutrizac, and is presently in its field phase. Findings as to the causes and contributing factors of the accident will be made public once the investigation is complete.

Investigator-in-Charge

William Dutrizac has been a senior investigator at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada since late 2007. Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Dutrizac, was an Inspector with Transport Canada related to pollution preparedness and response. He also served as an officer on board various Coast Guard ships and in command of the Hovercraft. He has worked for the Canadian Coast Guard in a variety of positions related to contingency planning.

Mr. Dutrizac is a graduate of the Canadian Coast Guard College in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Photos

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Transportation Safety Board 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.