Communiqués

TSB # M 04/98

(For release 02 April 1998)

(Hull, Quebec) - The investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is continuing into the sinking of the 142 gross-ton small fishing vessel "PACIFIC CHARMER" at approximately 1:30 AM on 02 December 1997. The vessel was engaged in herring fishing operations in the Pylades Channel between Valdes Island and Ruxton Island, British Columbia. At the time of the accident, the vessel was operating with a crew of five; only three crew members were safely rescued. Two succumbed to hypothermia and drowning.

The wind and sea conditions prevailing at the time of the accident were calm with an air temperature of 10C. The vessel's automatic Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) activated at 1:40 AM. The signal was picked up at the next pass of the SARSAT satellite, and a Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft was tasked at 1:55 AM, departed the Sea Island base at 2:00 AM, arriving at the scene of the accident at 2:55 AM. No other distress signal was received.

The vessel had already loaded approximately 90 tonnes of herring and was in the process of loading a further 10 tonnes by the stern ramp when the vessel heeled to starboard, remained at an angle of 45 degrees for approximately 30 seconds, then downflooded rapidly and sank in 180 feet of water.

On departure for this voyage, the vessel was trimmed and ballasted for an intended catch of 50 tonnes. Subsequently, the Fisheries & Oceans observer on board gave permission to increase the catch to 100 tonnes to compensate for loss of quota by a nearby disabled vessel from the same fishing company.

Since the accident, the "PACIFIC CHARMER" has been recovered and inspections have shown that the weathertight doors to the engine-room and crew accommodation were secured in the open position. A watertight door to the steering gear compartment was also secured in the open position. Spare fishing gear stowed on top of the wheel-house had a significant adverse effect on the vessel's transverse stability.

Small fishing vessels engaged in the herring or capelin fisheries are required to submit stability data to Transport Canada for regulatory approval. The "PACIFIC CHARMER" had been approved for herring packing operation only, with no nets or trawl boards on board. At the time of the capsizing, the vessel was operating with the additional weight of three trawl nets, two trawl boards and other extra spare gear on board that had not been incorporated in the trim and stability data available to the skipper.

TSB Marine Investigations specialists have interviewed the survivors, inspected the recovered vessel, and are in the process of conducting a stability analysis of the vessel's condition as outfitted and loaded the night of the accident. The investigation is also addressing the requirements and processes for approving the trim and stability data for small fishing vessels engaged in the herring, capelin and other fisheries.

The TSB investigation is continuing with input from, among others, the Safety Director of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union-Canadian Auto Workers, the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia, the owners of the "PACIFIC CHARMER", representatives of Transport Canada Marine Safety, and the Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue unit.

Safety information concerning the watertight doors, the approved trim and stability booklet and the loaded condition of the vessel on the night of the accident, has been communicated to the owners of the "PACIFIC CHARMER" and to Transport Canada. The TSB will issue a public report upon completion of this investigation. However, the Board may also issue interim recommendations at any time during the investigation if any safety deficiencies are identified that pose serious risk to persons, property, or the environment.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is an independent agency operating under its own Act of Parliament. 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.

NOTE: This update is based on information assembled by investigation staff and will be amended as other facts are gathered. The investigation is not complete and one should not attempt to infer findings as to the causes and contributing factors of the accident on the basis of this update.

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