Marine transportation safety investigation M16C0006

This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 29 May 2017.

Table of contents

    Grounding
    Container vessel MSC Monica
    Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, Quebec

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 22 January 2016, the container vessel MSC MONICA ran aground 1 nautical mile NNE of Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, Quebec. The vessel was refloated the following day, with the assistance of three tugs, and escorted to Québec City, Quebec, to undergo the necessary inspections. No injuries or pollution were reported but the vessel sustained minor damage to the hull and the propeller sustained major damage.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    2016-01-22

    TSB deploys a team to the grounding of a container ship near Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, Quebec
    Québec, Quebec, 22 January 2016 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to the grounding of the container ship MSC MONICA, near Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, Quebec. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M16C0005

    Grounding
    Container vessel MSC Monica
    Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, Quebec

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of François Dumont

    François Dumont has been an investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada since 2013. Before joining the TSB, Mr. Dumont sailed for 12 years in the merchant navy aboard bulk carriers, tankers, tugs, general cargo ships and icebreakers. He also was a Marine Safety Inspector with Transport Canada for 3 years. Mr. Dumont holds a diploma from the Institut Maritime du Québec in Marine Mechanical Engineering Techniques, a First Class Marine Engineer’s Certificate for motor vessels, and a Fourth Class Marine Engineer’s Certificate for steam vessels.

    Photos

    Image
    Image of the front on the MSC Monica moored at the Port of Quebec City
    Image
    Image of the back of the MSC Monica moored at the Port of Quebec City
    Image
    Image of the side of the MSC Monica moored at the Port of Quebec City

      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.