This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 25 October 2018.
Sinking and loss of life
Fishing vessel Western Commander
Triple Islands, Dixon Entrance, British Columbia
The occurrence
On 9 April 2018, the fishing vessel Western Commander, with 3 people on board, began taking on water in Hecate Strait, British Columbia. The vessel's pumps were unable to keep up with the ingress of water nor reduce the port list. The master transmitted a Mayday and the crew prepared to abandon the vessel. While donning the immersion suits, one crew member collapsed and became incapacitated. All crew managed to abandon the vessel and board the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Cape Dauphin. The Western Commander subsequently sank. Two of the crew members survived but one crew member subsequently died.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: April 2018 sinking and loss of life in Hecate Strait, British Columbia
Read the news release
Investigation information
M18P0073
Sinking and loss of life
Fishing vessel Western Commander
Triple Islands, Dixon Entrance, British Columbia
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.