This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 04 January 2018.
Grounding and abandonment
Passenger vessel Stellar Sea
Tofino, British Columbia
The occurrence
On 01 October 2016, the passenger vessel Stellar Sea, with 28 people on board, ran aground near Tofino, British Columbia. The passengers and crew were evacuated by passenger vessels C07488BC and C12985BC. Two passengers suffered minor injuries.
Media materials
News release
Insufficient passage planning and lookout for hazards contributed to the 2016 grounding of the eco-tourism vessel Stellar Sea in Warn Bay, British Columbia
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators following the grounding of the passenger vessel STELLAR SEA near Tofino, British Columbia
Richmond, British Columbia, 3 October 2016 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following the grounding of the passenger vessel STELLAR SEA near Tofino, BC. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M16P0362
Grounding and abandonment
Passenger vessel Stellar Sea
Tofino, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Ramanbir Mangat started his career as a cadet with Stolt Tankers and has held several positions with them, both seagoing and shore based. He has over 25 years of experience in the shipping industry that encompasses work with oil and chemical tankers in commercial operations, technical ship management, environmental management systems, and ship vetting.
Ramanbir received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Middlesex University in London, England, a Higher National Diploma in Nautical Science from Warsash Maritime Academy in Southampton, and a Certificate in Project Management from University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He holds a certificate of competency as Master Mariner from Canada and the U.K.
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.