News release

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (M24C0142) into the June 2024 collision between the passenger vessel Navark Faucon Millenium and a pleasure craft on the St. Lawrence River near Longueuil, Quebec. Several passengers and occupants were injured. 

The investigation found that although the pleasure craft operator held a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) and had more than 20 years of recreational boating experience, his training and experience did not adequately prepare him to assess the risk of collision in such a complex environment. As a result, his assessment of the passing did not account for the effects of dynamic instability and, as the vessels approached each other, appropriate action was not taken to reduce the risk of collision. 

Similar safety deficiencies related to training and certification have been identified in previous TSB investigations (M23C0143, M22P0298).

Recommendation to Transport Canada

Recreational boating is a popular activity in Canada and carries inherent safety risks. Between 2012 and 2021, an average of 106 fatalities per year were associated with recreational boating. Of these fatalities, 57% involved powerboats. 

Under current regulations, the most common way to demonstrate competency is to obtain a PCOC by passing a theory test. Practical training is not mandatory. The investigation’s review of sample PCOC manuals available online found limited guidance on vessel manoeuvrability, the behaviour of high-speed craft, and effective manoeuvres to comply with the Collision Regulations when operating near other traffic, including larger commercial vessels. The PCOC also does not expire, has no refresher requirements, and does not distinguish between low-complexity and high-complexity operating environments. 

This gap in training and certification means that pleasure craft operators rely more on their personal experience to identify hazards and manage the associated risks on the water. As a result, they may not be equipped to safely navigate alongside commercial vessels in complex marine environments, such as high-traffic waterways.

To learn a complex skill such as vessel navigation, a structured approach to training is needed. There are different ways to achieve the desired goal, but there are established approaches that have become widespread because of their success in other modes of transportation such as graduated licensing and periodic refresher training. 

Therefore, the Board recommends that

See the investigation page for more information.