Marine transportation safety investigation M17P0244

This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 10 January 2019

Table of contents

    Bottom contact
    Tug Ocean Monarch
    Princess Royal Channel, British Columbia

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 7 August 2018, the tug Ocean Monarch, with 3 people on board and towing the barge EVCO No. 15 made bottom contact in the Princess Royal Channel near Graham Reach, British Columbia. The tug's hull and starboard propeller nozzle were damaged. The tug continued on its voyage to Kitimat, British Columbia, using its port engine. There was no pollution reported.

    Media materials

    News release

    2019-01-10

    Fatigue responsible for 2017 occurrence in which a BC tug boat made bottom contact
    Read the news release

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M17P0244

    Bottom contact
    Tug Ocean Monarch
    Princess Royal Channel, British Columbia

    Photos

    Image
    Tug OCEAN MONARCH

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 2 investigation. These investigations are complex and involve several safety issues requiring in-depth analysis. Class 2 investigations, which frequently result in recommendations, are generally completed within 600 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.