Marine transportation

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.

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.