Marine transportation safety investigation M14A0289

This investigation has been completed. The report was released 10 August 2015.

Table of contents

    Capsizing and subsequent loss of life
    Small fishing vessel Sea Serpent 25
    Off Little Port Head, Newfoundland and Labrador

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 26 June 2014, the fishing vessel "NO NAME SEA SERPENT 25", with 4 people on board, foundered and capsized 3.8 nm WNW of Little Port Hd, NL. The overturned vessel was subsequently discovered by a fisheries patrol and 3 crewmembers were rescued. One deceased crewmember was recovered.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M14A0289

    Capsizing and subsequent loss of life
    Small fishing vessel Sea Serpent 25
    Off Little Port Head, Newfoundland and Labrador

    Photos

    Image
    Image of the vessel after it was hauled ashore
    Image
    Image of the vessel being de-watered, after being towed to port, courtesy of the Canadian Coast Guard

      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.