This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 21 June 2017.
Mechanical failure and sinking
Fishing vessel Bessie E.
Mamainse Harbour, Ontario
The occurrence
On 17 February 2016, the fishing vessel Bessie E, with 5 people on board, experienced a propulsion failure, while returning to Mamainse Harbour, Lake Superior, Ontario. The 5 crew members jumped to shore before the vessel capsized. There were no reported injuries. The vessel was a total constructive loss.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to assess an occurrence involving the fishing vessel Bessie E
Québec, Quebec, 17 February 2016 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, following the capsizing and sinking of the fishing vessel Bessie. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M16C0014
Mechanical failure and sinking
Fishing vessel Bessie E.
Mamainse Harbour, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Luc Charbonneau has been a senior marine investigator at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 2010.
Prior to joining the TSB, M Charbonneau worked at Transport Canada, Marine safety, as Canadian vessel inspector, port state control inspector, pollution prevention officer and examiner in the Quebec region.
He has 20 years sailing experience on several types of foreign going ships and coastal trading vessels. He holds a certificate of first class marine engineering.
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.