Marine transportation safety investigation M14P0150

This investigation has been completed. The report was released 14 September 2015.

Table of contents

    Grounding
    Bulk carrier Amakusa Island
    Prince Rupert, British Columbia

    View final report

    The occurrence

    On 14 July 2014, the bulk carrier AMAKUSA ISLAND grounded south of Gull Rocks when the vessel departed Prince Rupert, BC. The vessel started taking on water. No pollution was reported. The TSB deployed a team of investigators.

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M14P0150

    Grounding
    Bulk carrier Amakusa Island
    Prince Rupert, British Columbia

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Mohan Raman

    Mohan Raman has been a senior investigator at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada since 2011.

    Before joining the TSB, Mr. Raman was a ship safety inspector for Transport Canada in British Columbia, performing onboard inspections.

    Mr. Raman has 28 years’ sailing experience in the engineering discipline on board a variety of vessels, culminating in his appointment as Senior Chief Engineer and Project Manager with BC Ferries. Mr. Raman is a Certified First Class (Motor) engineer and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bombay University, India.

    Photos

    Image
    Starboard-side view of the bulk carrier AMAKUSA ISLAND
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    Bow view of the bulk carrier AMAKUSA ISLAND
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    Port-side view of the bulk carrier AMAKUSA ISLAND
    Image
    Vessel’s deck profile from the bridge of the bulk carrier AMAKUSA ISLAND

      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

    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.