Marine transportation safety investigation M16C0016

This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 06 April 2017.

Table of contents

    Striking of ice and subsequent flooding
    Fishing vessel Saputi
    Davis Strait, Nunavut

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 21 February 2016, the fishing vessel Saputi struck ice in the Davis Strait area and reported undetermined water ingress in the cargo hold. The heavily listed vessel proceeded to Nuuk, Greenland, under its own power with a Danish naval vessel standing by. No pollution or injuries were reported.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M16C0016

    Striking of ice and subsequent flooding
    Fishing vessel Saputi
    Davis Strait, Nunavut

    Investigator-in-charge

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    Photo of Shannon Pittman

    Shannon Pittman has been employed as an investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 2014. Prior to joining TSB, Mr. Pittman spent 20 years with the Canadian Coast Guard operating on Canada’s Atlantic coast and throughout the Arctic on search and rescue, icebreaking, buoy tending, and science research vessels. Mr. Pittman holds a Master Mariner certificate as well as a Bachelor of Technology–Nautical Science from the Canadian Coast Guard College/University College of Cape Breton in Sydney, Nova Scotia.


    Photos

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    Image 1 of the fishing vessel SAPUTI
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    Image 2 of the fishing vessel SAPUTI
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    Image of a section of hull plating and framing removed from fishing vessel SAPUT
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    Image of a TSB Investigator observing new hull plating and framing on fishing vessel SAPUTI

      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.