The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 24 January 2024.
Catastrophic failure of machinery, subsequent fire, and sinking
Fishing vessel Atlantic Destiny
120 nautical miles south of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
The occurrence
On , the fishing vessel Atlantic Destiny, with 31 persons on board, sustained a catastrophic engine failure while the vessel was about 120 nautical miles south of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The shaft generators exploded, causing a fire and damage that led to flooding in the engine room. All persons on board were evacuated by search and rescue authorities. Minor injuries were reported. On 03 March 2021, the Atlantic Destiny sank.Media materials
News releases
TSB raises safety concern following investigation into the sinking of the Atlantic Destiny
Read the news release
Investigation information
M21A0041
Catastrophic failure of machinery, subsequent fire, and sinking
Fishing vessel Atlantic Destiny
120 nautical miles south of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Investigator-in-charge
Yevgen Lezhankin joined the TSB as an investigator with the Central region of the Marine branch in 2018. Yevgen holds a Master Mariner certificate and has worked at sea for 22 years, navigating internationally and in Eastern Canada. Before joining the TSB, Yevgen was working as a Transport Canada marine safety inspector in Port-Cartier and Quebec City. Yevgen graduated from Odessa State Maritime Academy and has a bachelor’s degree in navigation.
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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.