This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 06 September 2018.
Person overboard
Bulk carrier Federal Champlain
Thunder Bay, Ontario
The occurrence
On 08 December 2017, the bulk carrier Federal Champlain reported that while docked at the Thunder Bay terminal in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Third Officer fell overboard from a ladder into the water while reading the midship draught. He was rescued by a small vessel and sent to the nearest hospital for treatment. The TSB is investigating.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: December 2017 incident involving a person who fell overboard from the bulk carrier Federal Champlain at the Thunder Bay terminal, Ontario
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys investigators to Montreal, Quebec to assess a man overboard incident
Québec, Quebec, 14 December 2017 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Montreal, Quebec, to assess the man overboard incident from the Bulk Carrier Federal Champlain. There were no fatalities. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M17C0292
Person overboard
Bulk carrier Federal Champlain
Thunder Bay, Ontario
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.