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News release

Investigation report: Mechanical failure and fire on board the Brochu in Port-Cartier, Quebec, in September 2017

Associated links (M17C0220)

Québec, Quebec, 11 June 2018 – Today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report (M17C0220) on the September 2017 mechanical failure and subsequent fire on board the tug Brochu in Port-Cartier, Quebec. No injuries or pollution were reported, but the fire caused extensive damage to the tug.

Early on, TSB investigators discovered a number of unsafe conditions that could potentially affect the crews and machinery operations of hundreds of other vessels worldwide having similar arrangements. Therefore in December 2017 the TSB issued a safety advisory to a wide range of Canadian and international stakeholders to inform them of the issue and encourage them to take appropriate action.


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.

For more information, contact:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Media Relations
Telephone: 819-360-4376
Email: media@tsb.gc.ca