Updated in September 2023 : This investigation is in the report phase.
Fire and subsequent flooding
Passenger and vehicle ferry Holiday Island
Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island
The occurrence
On the morning of 22 July 2022, at 1106 (ADT), a fire was declared in the main engine room of the passenger and vehicle ferry Holiday Island, which was on its second voyage that day.
Shortly after the fire was detected, the engines were shut down and the vessel was beached on a nearby sandbar, with both anchors deployed. The vessel’s fixed carbon dioxide (CO2) fire-smothering system was released.
Multiple fire departments, police units, Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and CCG Auxiliary (CCGA) vessels as well as Department of National Defence aircraft were tasked to respond.
At 1226, the Holiday Island reported that all passengers and five crew members had evacuated the vessel. The marine rescue units brought the evacuees to a reception point in Wood Islands, where they counted 236 passengers.
The marine units began to transport volunteer firefighters to the vessel to help fight the fire. Approximately 200 firefighters arrived to help from across the island to combat the fire that was still burning on board. The vessel was abandoned later that day due to a risk of explosion.
The engine room flooded with seawater and the vessel developed a list due to the water ingress. The fire continued to burn until the afternoon of 23 July and the vessel was towed to Wood Islands ferry terminal on the following morning.
Investigation update – September 2023
During the field phase of the investigation, the TSB collected information about the occurrence from physical evidence, photographs, videos, documents, and interviews.
The examination and analysis phase of the investigation involved continued information collection, which was reviewed with consideration of guidelines and regulatory requirements. The TSB laboratory examined physical parts removed from the Holiday Island. The parts were tested by exposing them to temperatures, pressures, and physical conditions comparable to those on board during the occurrence.
The investigation is now moving into the report phase. Once the draft report is approved by the Board, it is sent to designated reviewers on a confidential basis for comment. The Board considers all the designated reviewers’ comments and amends the report as required. Once approved by the Board, the final report is released to the public on the TSB website and through traditional and social media.
Safety communications
On 5 May 2023, the TSB issued Marine Safety Information Letter MSI 03/23, advising Transport Canada that a pilot cylinder manual release lever was installed in such a way that it could not be fully opened because of the placement of a discharge delay cylinder. This arrangement was not a contributing factor in the occurrence.Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB deploying a team of investigators following a fire aboard the ferry Holiday Island near Wood Islands, PEI
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 22 July 2022 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following today’s fire aboard the ferry Holiday Island near Wood Islands, PEI. The TSB is gathering information and assessing the occurrence.
Investigation information
M22A0258
Fire and subsequent flooding
Passenger and vehicle ferry Holiday Island
Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island
Investigator-in-charge
Jeremy Ross joined the TSB in 2018 in the Atlantic region of the Marine branch. Jeremy holds a Master certificate, Near Coastal and has a bachelor’s degree in navigation as well as one in science (Biology).
Jeremy has worked for the Canadian Coast Guard since 1999, and more specifically for Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Halifax since 2009.
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
- 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.