Marine transportation safety investigation M17A0390

This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 14 January 2019.

Table of contents

    Grounding
    Bulk carrier SBI Carioca
    Belledune, New Brunswick

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 11 October 2017, the bulk carrier SBI CARIOCA, with 24 people on board, reported running aground while approaching the breakwater in the port of Belledune, New Brunswick, in the Baie des Chaleurs. The vessel was refloated on the next high tide with the assistance of two tugs. No damage, pollution or injuries. The TSB is investigating.

    Safety communications

    Recommendations

    Recommendation M94-34: Passage planning

    Media materials

    News release

    2019-01-14

    Conflicting information and ineffective communication led to the 2017 grounding of the SBI Carioca near the Port of Belledune, New Brunswick
    Read the news release

    Deployment notice

    2017-03-17

    TSB deploys a team to Belledune, New Brunswick, following the grounding of the bulk carrier SBI Carioca
    Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 11 October 2017 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Belledune, New Brunswick, where the bulk carrier SBI Carioca ran aground this morning. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M17A0390

    Grounding
    Bulk carrier SBI Carioca
    Belledune, New Brunswick

      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.