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Marine transportation safety investigation M15P0286

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Capsizing and sinking, fishing vessel Caledonian

Capsizing and loss of life
Fishing vessel Caledonian
20 nm west of Nootka Sound, British Columbia

View final report

The accident

On 05 September 2015, the fishing vessel Caledonian, with 4 people on board, capsized while hauling fish on board off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The vessel eventually sank and minor pollution was reported. One crew member was rescued and the bodies of the remaining 3 crew members were recovered.


Safety communications

Recommendations
1994-12

TSB Recommendation M94-33: The Department of Transport establish guidelines for stability booklets so that the information they contain is presented in a simple, clear, and practical format for end-users.

2015-12-14

TSB Recommendation M16-01: The Department of Transport establish standards for all new and existing large fishing vessels to ensure that the stability information is adequate and readily available to the crew.

2015-12-14

TSB Recommendation M16-02: The Department of Transport establish standards for all small fishing vessels that have had a stability assessment to ensure their stability information is adequate and readily available to the crew.

2015-12-14

TSB Recommendation M16-03: The Department of Transport require that all small fishing vessels undergo a stability assessment and establish standards to ensure that the stability information is adequate and readily available to the crew.

2015-12-14

TSB Recommendation M16-04: WorkSafeBC require persons to wear suitable personal flotation devices at all times when on the deck of a commercial fishing vessel or when on board a commercial fishing vessel without a deck or deck structure and that WorkSafeBC ensure programs are developed to confirm compliance.

2015-12-14

TSB Recommendation M16-05: The Department of Transport require persons to wear suitable personal flotation devices at all times when on the deck of a commercial fishing vessel or when on board a commercial fishing vessel without a deck or deck structure and that the Department of Transport ensure programs are developed to confirm compliance.

Media materials

Backgrounders
2016-12-14

Investigation findings (M15P0286) in the September 2015 capsizing and sinking of the fishing vessel Caledonian off the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

2016-12-14

Safety communications for TSB investigation (M15P0286) into the September 2015 capsizing and sinking of the fishing vessel Caledonian off the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

2016-12-14

Stability information for the investigation (M15P0286) into the September 2015 capsizing and sinking of the fishing vessel Caledonian off the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Deployment notice
2015-09-06

Transportation Safety Board of Canada deploys investigator following sinking of fishing vessel Caledonian in Nootka Sound, British Columbia
Richmond, British Columbia, 6 September 2015 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying an investigator following the sinking of the fishing vessel Caledonian in Nooka Sound, British Columbia. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.

Media advisories
2016-12-12

TSB will hold a news conference to release its investigation report into the September 2015 capsizing and sinking of the fishing vessel Caledonian off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia

News releases
2015-12-14

Stability and PFD issues led to September 2015 commercial fishing fatalities off the west coast of Vancouver Island
Read the news release

Speeches and presentations
2016-12-14

News conference for Caledonian (M15P0286): Opening remarks
Kathy Fox
Chair, Transportation Safety Board of Canada
and
Glenn Budden
Investigator-in-Charge, Transportation Safety Board of Canada


Investigation information

Map showing the location of the occurrence


Investigator-in-charge

Photo of Glenn Budden

Glenn Budden has been a Senior Marine Investigator at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada since 2007.

Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Budden owned and operated a commercial fishing business. He has 35 years’ experience in the fishing industry, operating, managing and advising on several types of fishing vessels and fisheries on both coasts. In his later years, in the fishing industry, he facilitated the first industry led stability education program (Fishsafe) to fishermen in British Columbia.

Mr. Budden holds a Fishing Masters II certificate, and his last vessel was the seiner ‘Ocean Venture’.


Photos


  Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

Class of investigation

This is a class 2 investigation. These investigations are complex and involve several safety issues requiring in-depth analysis. Class 2 investigations, which frequently result in recommendations, are generally completed within 600 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

TSB investigation process

There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

  1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.