“Island Bay” Capsizing TSB Safety Repo

[GordMay]

A Transportation Safety Board of Canada report*, about the 10-metre-long [33 Ft] “Island Bay” passenger boat, capsizing on, Sept. 10, 2022, says a combination of: modifications to the boat, the wind, waves, and the tide, caused the vessel to capsize, forcing seven people aboard [2 crew + 5 passengers], to abandon ship.

One person was swept away, but was rescued, while the other passengers and crew were taken, on an inflatable boat, to the nearby shore, where they were later rescued.

The board's report* says its investigation found the vessel had been extended, at the stern, and on the deckhouse, with added storage, equipment and gear, all raising the Island Bay's centre of gravity.

The report says the modifications compromised the vessel's ability to right itself, when it was hit by the poor weather, initiating the capsize.

* “Marine transportation safety investigation M22P0259
Capsizing and subsequent sinking Passenger vessel "Island Bay"
Carpenter Bay, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, 10 September 2022"
➥ https://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/enquetes-i.../m22p0259.html

[5BTM]

Sound familiar.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by 5BTM

Sound familiar.

Indeed.

Several TSB investigations, into small commercial vessels, have resulted in the Board issuing recommendations, related to major modifications, regulatory surveillance, current and accurate vessel registration, and stability information.
Although these recommendations were made about fishing vessels, and tugs, rather than passenger vessels, this investigation found that the same issues were present in this occurrence involving the Island Bay.

If Transport Canada’s oversight, and programs for commercial vessels that are not required to be certified, continue to be insufficient, to support authorized representatives in understanding their responsibilities, there is a risk that they will operate, without an adequate level of safety.
Applies to us cruisers, as well.