Marine transportation safety investigation M14A0051

This investigation has been completed. The report was released 9 June 2015.

Table of contents

    Flooding and subsequent grounding
    Bulk carrier John I
    Off the southwest coast of
    Newfoundland and Labrador

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 14 March 2014, the bulk carrier John I became disabled off the southwest coast of Newfoundland and Labrador due to flooding in the engine room. The vessel drifted approximately 41 nautical miles before grounding on the Rose Blanche Shoals the following day. There were no injuries, and all 23 crew members were evacuated by helicopter. It was reported that no pollutants were released.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    2014-03-16

    Transportation Safety Board of Canada deploys a team to Rose Blanche, Newfoundland and Labrador, to investigate an incident involving the bulk carrier "John 1"
    Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 16 March 2014 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Rose Blanche, Newfoundland and Labrador, to investigate the grounding of the Bulk Carrier "John 1". The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M14A0051

    Flooding and subsequent grounding
    Bulk carrier John I
    Off the southwest coast of
    Newfoundland and Labrador

      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.