This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 09 May 2018.
Grounding
Tanker Damia Desgagnés
St. Lawrence Seaway, near Morrisburg, Ontario
The occurrence
On 15 June 2017, the tanker Damia Desgagnés, with 20 people on board, grounded in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Morrisburg, Ontario, after unexpectedly losing main engine propulsion. The vessel was refloated the next day and towed to Johnstown, Ontario. No injuries and no pollution were reported.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: Grounding near Morrisburg, Ontario, June 2017
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team near Morrisburg, Ontario following the grounding of a tanker
Québec, Quebec, 16 June 2017 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators near Morrisburg, Ontario, following the grounding of the tanker Damia Desgagnes. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M17C0108
Grounding
Tanker Damia Desgagnés
St. Lawrence Seaway, near Morrisburg, Ontario
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 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.