Person overboard and subsequent loss of life
Small fishing vessel Cock-a-Wit Lady
23 nautical miles SSW of
Clark’s Harbour, Nova Scotia
The occurrence
On 30 November 2015, the fishing vessel COCK-A-WIT LADY, with five people on board, reported a crew member had gone overboard 23 nautical miles SSW of Clark's Harbour, Nova Scotia. The crew recovered and then attempted to resuscitate the crew member, who was pronounced deceased after being airlifted to hospital.
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators to two marine incidents in Wood's Harbour, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 30 November 2015 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Wood’s Harbour, Nova Scotia, to man-overboard incidents involving both fishing vessels Cockawit Lady and Nomada Queen 1. The TSB will gather information.
Investigation information
M15A0348
Person overboard and subsequent loss of life
Small fishing vessel Cock-a-Wit Lady
23 nautical miles SSW of
Clark’s Harbour, Nova Scotia
Photos
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
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- 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.
- 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.