TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 21 November 2024.
Rescue operation and subsequent loss of life
Fishing vessel Mucktown Girl and
Canadian Coast Guard ship Jean Goodwill
87.5 nautical miles southeast of Canso, Nova Scotia
The occurrence
Just after 2351 Atlantic Standard Time on 11 March 2022, 87.5 nautical miles southeast of Canso, Nova Scotia, the master of the fishing vessel Mucktown Girl reported to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that the vessel was having electrical problems. When the Canadian Coast Guard ship Jean Goodwill arrived on scene, the Mucktown Girl, with 5 people on board, had no power.
With a storm in the forecast, the Jean Goodwill began towing the Mucktown Girl towards the port of Mulgrave, Nova Scotia. Environmental conditions worsened and at 1555 Atlantic Standard Time on 12 March, after approximately 6 hours of towing, the towing operation failed. The Jean Goodwill stood by awaiting improved environmental conditions to reestablish the tow. The next morning, 13 March, the Mucktown Girl began taking on water; the crew donned their immersion suits and abandoned ship into their life raft. With assistance from those on board, 4 crew members boarded the Jean Goodwill from the water. In the difficult conditions, 1 crew member from the Mucktown Girl was unable to board and drifted away. He was recovered from the water by a search and rescue helicopter and taken to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Mucktown Girl was last sighted at 1139 Atlantic Daylight Time, after which the vessel sank.
Media materials
Investigation information
M22A0052
Rescue operation and subsequent loss of life
Fishing vessel Mucktown Girl and
Canadian Coast Guard ship Jean Goodwill
87.5 nautical miles southeast of Canso, Nova Scotia
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.