This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 03 December 2018.
Grounding
Fishing vessel Roping the Wind
Hardys Channel, Prince Edward Island
The occurrence
On 30 April 2018, the fishing vessel Roping the Wind, with five people on board, grounded in Hardys Channel, near Malpeque Bay, Prince Edward Island. The ebbing tide from the northeast turned the vessel to port, exposing the starboard side to the waves. The vessel began to founder as the waves broke over the starboard bulwark, flooding the vessel. Nearby fishing boats rescued four of the crew members from the grounded vessel. The fifth fisherman was pulled from the water. Four crew members were taken to hospital and treated from hypothermia; one fisherman did not require medical attention.
No pollution was reported.
News release
Investigation report: April 2018 grounding of a fishing vessel in Hardys Channel, Prince Edward Island
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team to Malpeque Bay, Prince Edward Island, following the sinking of the fishing vessel Roping the Wind
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 1 May 2018 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Malpeque Bay, Prince Edward Island, following the sinking of the fishing vessel Roping the Wind. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M18A0075
Grounding
Fishing vessel Roping the Wind
Hardys Channel, Prince Edward Island
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.