Marine transportation safety investigation M13L0123

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was released 09 October 2014.

Table of contents

    Collision
    Bulk carrier Heloise and tug Ocean Georgie Bain
    Port of Montréal, Quebec

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 03 August 2013, the M/V Heloise and the tug Ocean Georgie Bain were involved in a collision near section 76 in the Port of Montreal, Quebec. No injuries or pollution were reported. The tug sustained damage.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    2013-08-04

    Montreal, Quebec 4 August 2013 —The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following a collision yesterday involving the M/V Heloise and the tug Ocean Georgie Bain in the Port of Montreal, Québec. The investigators will gather information and assess the occurrence.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M13L0123

    Collision
    Bulk carrier Heloise and tug Ocean Georgie Bain
    Port of Montréal, Quebec

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Pierre Giroux

    Captain Pierre Giroux has been a senior marine investigator at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada since 2011.

    Prior to joining the TSB, Captain Giroux worked as a ship inspector with Transport Canada's Marine Safety program for 22 years. He has extensive experience in inspections, accreditation exams and certification.

    In addition, he has 16 years of sailing experience aboard chemical tankers, bulk carriers and general cargo and container vessels. Captain Giroux graduated from the Institut maritime du Québec. He holds a Master Mariner's certificate.

    Photos

    Image
    The M/V Heloise docked in the Port of Montreal
    Image
    The tug Ocean Georgie Bain docked in the Port of Montreal

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 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.