Marine Transportation Safety Information Letter 01/23

Place du Centre, 4th floor
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau QC K1A 1K8

23 February 2023

Director, Marine Services
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s NL  A1B 4J6

On 02 November 2022, while manoeuvring to dock at Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, the roll-on/roll-off ferry Beaumont Hamel made contact with the docked roll-on/roll-off ferry Legionnaire. Sustained winds at the time of the occurrence are reported to have been in excess of 25 knots, with gusts exceeding 30 knots. No injuries or significant damage to vessels or installations were reported to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB).

In accordance with the TSB Occurrence Classification Policy^{Footnote 1}, the circumstances of this occurrence were assessed, and it was classified as a class 5 occurrence. Consequently, TSB activity was limited to the collection of data, which has been recorded for safety analysis, statistical reporting, and archival purposes. The following paragraphs contain safety-related information derived during the assessment of this occurrence.

During the investigation of the November 2022 occurrence, the TSB gathered data related to the leave schedule of the officers and crew on board the Beaumont Hamel. The impact that this leave schedule may have had on this particular occurrence was not assessed.

However, in 2012, the Beaumont Hamel experienced an electrical failure and struck the wharf in Portugal Cove. Following an investigation into this occurrence, the TSB published Marine Investigation Report M12N0017^{Footnote 2}. The report indicates that the operation schedule and conditions on board the Beaumont Hamel were not conducive to restorative rest, and that crew decision-making abilities may have been affected by chronic fatigue brought on by sleep debt. The report states that the Department of Transportation and Works (now known as the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure) is aware of the chronic fatigue potential for the Bell Island ferry operations, and that it mitigates such by having the crew on a 1-week rotation schedule.^{Footnote 3}

At the time of the November 2022 occurrence, it was noted that the master had been on board the Beaumont Hamel for 6 continuous weeks.

The TSB’s Watchlist identifies the key safety issues that need to be addressed to make Canada’s transportation system even safer. Fatigue management is identified on the Watchlist 2022 as one of these key safety issues. Fatigue has been proven to pose a risk to the safety of air, marine, and freight train operations because of its potential to degrade several aspects of human performance.

The foregoing is provided for whatever follow-up action is deemed appropriate. The TSB would appreciate being advised of any action that is taken in this regard. An investigator may follow up with you at a later date.

As the above-identified potential safety issue associated with this occurrence has been brought to your attention and consideration, is it anticipated that an investigation report will not be issued.

Regards,

Original letter signed by

Clifford Harvey

Director, Investigations - Marine
Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Cc.

• Director General, Marine Safety and Security, Transport Canada