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Marine transportation safety investigation M16P0378

This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 31 May 2018.

Table of contents

Grounding and subsequent sinking

Articulated tug-barge
Tug Nathan E. Stewart and tank barge DBL 55
Seaforth Channel, 10 nm west of
Bella Bella, British Columbia

View final report

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, at the entrance to Seaforth Channel, approximately 10 nautical miles west of Bella Bella, British Columbia. The tug's hull was eventually breached and approximately 110 000 L of diesel oil were released into the environment. The tug subsequently sank and separated from the barge. The tug was removed from the environment 33 days after the occurrence. Seven 208 L drums of diesel oil–soiled absorbent pads were collected from the site.


Safety communications

Recommendations

2018-05-31

TSB Recommendation M18-01: the Department of Transport require that watchkeepers whose work and rest periods are regulated by the Marine Personnel Regulations receive practical fatigue education and awareness training in order to help identify and prevent the risks of fatigue

TSB Recommendation M18-02: the Department of Transport require vessel owners whose watchkeepers' work and rest periods are regulated by the Marine Personnel Regulations to implement a comprehensive fatigue management plan tailored specifically for their operation, to reduce the risk of fatigue.

All marine recommendations

Media materials

News release

2018-05-31

TSB issues new recommendations to reduce the risk of fatigue in the marine industry
Read the news release

Backgrounders

2018-05-31

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

2018-05-31

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

2018-05-31

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

2018-05-31

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

Speeches

2018-05-31

News conference forthe release of the Marine Investigation Report M16P0378 (Nathan E. Stewart) – Opening remarks
Read the speech
Kathy Fox, TSB Chair

Media advisory

2018-05-29

TSB to hold a news conference to release its investigation report into the October 2016 grounding and subsequent sinking of the tug Nathan E. Stewart near Bella Bella, British Columbia
Read the media advisory

Deployment notice

2016-10-24

TSB launches investigation into the grounding of the tug Nathan E. Stewart and tanker barge DBL 55 in Seaforth Channel, British Columbia
Richmond, British Columbia, 24 October 2016 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has launched an investigation into the grounding of the tug Nathan E. Stewart while pushing the barge DBL 55 in Seaforth Channel, British Columbia that occurred on October 13.

2016-10-17

TSB looks into the grounding of the tug Nathan E. Stewart
Richmond, British Columbia, 17 October 2016 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is following up on the grounding of the Nathan E. Stewart in Seaforth Channel, British Columbia. The TSB is gathering information and will conduct interviews with the crew of the vessel as it continues to assess the occurrence.


Investigation information

Map showing the location of the occurrence


Investigator-in-charge

Photo of Glenn Budden

Glenn Budden has been a Senior Marine Investigator at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada since 2007.

Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Budden owned and operated a commercial fishing business. He has 35 years' experience in the fishing industry, operating, managing and advising on several types of fishing vessels and fisheries on both coasts. In his later years, in the fishing industry, he facilitated the first industry led stability education program (Fishsafe) to fishermen in British Columbia.

Mr. Budden holds a Fishing Masters II certificate, and his last vessel was the seiner Ocean Venture.


Photos


  Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

Class of investigation

This is a class 2 investigation. These investigations are complex and involve several safety issues requiring in-depth analysis. Class 2 investigations, which frequently result in recommendations, are generally completed within 600 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.