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 MARINE STATISTICS - 2007

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TSB Statistical Summary Marine Occurrences 2007


Table of Contents



List of Tables



List of Figures


Foreword


This document provides users of Canadian maritime safety data with an annual summary of selected statistics on marine occurrences. It covers commercial vessels, which include all vessels registered or licensed to operate commercially. Pleasure craft occurrences are not normally included unless they also involve a commercial vessel.

Users of these statistics are advised that, in a live database, the occurrence data are constantly being updated. Consequently, the statistics can change slightly over time. Further, as many occurrences are not formally investigated, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified. Therefore, caution should be used when using these statistics. The 2007 statistics presented here reflect the TSB database updated as of 10 April 2008.

To enhance awareness and increase the safety value of the material presented in the Statistical Summary, Marine Occurrences 2007, readers are encouraged to copy or reprint the data presented, in whole or in part, for further distribution (with acknowledgements of the source).

The TSB is an independent agency operating under its own Act of Parliament. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety.

Comments on this document can be forwarded to the following address:

Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Communications Division
Place du Centre
200 Promenade du Portage
4th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 1K8

Telephone: (819) 994-3741
Facsimile: (819) 997-2239
E-mail: communications@tsb.gc.ca

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2008
    Cat. No. TU1-1/2007
    ISBN 978-0-662-05710-9

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Marine Occurrences in 2007

Accidents


Overview of Accidents and Casualties (Tables 1 and 8)


In 2007, 453 marine accidents were reported to the TSB, down from the 2006 total of 472 and the 2002-2006 average of 497. Over the past 10 years, nearly 90% of marine accidents have been shipping accidents, while the remainder were accidents aboard ship (see see Appendix B - Definitions).

Shipping accidents reached a 30-year low of 393 in 2007, a 7% decrease from the 2006 total of 422 and an 12% decrease from the 2002-2006 average of 447. Statistical analysis using linear regression indicates that there has been a significant downward trend1 in the number of shipping accidents since 1998 (p<.01) (Figure 1). In 2007, there were 60 accidents aboard ship, up from 50 in 2006 and the 2002-2006 average of 49. The majority of accidents aboard ship occurred on fishing vessels (35%) or cargo/bulk carrier/OBO2 vessels (27%).

Figure 1 - Accidents Aboard Ship and Shipping Accidents, 1998-2007

Figure 1. Accidents Aboard Ship and Shipping Accidents, 1998-2007[D]

Marine-related fatalities totalled 14 in 2007 (Figure 2), down from the 2006 total of 18 and the 2002-2006 average of 22. This decrease consisted mainly of a decrease in shipping accident fatalities, which totalled 3 in 2007, down from 12 in 2006 and the five-year average of 15. In all, 6 of the 14 fatalities resulted from fishing vessel accidents. Injuries in 2007 numbered 80, down from 85 in 2006 and the 2002-2006 average of 81. Of the 80 injuries in 2007, 52 were serious and 51 resulted from accidents aboard ship.

Figure 2 - Marine Fatalities and Injuries, 1998-2007

Figure 2. Marine Fatalities and Injuries, 1998-2007[D]f2

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Shipping Accidents


Type of Accidents (Table 1): As illustrated in Figure 3, the most frequent types of shipping accidents in 2007 were groundings (24%) and strikings (16%). Groundings and strikings showed a 15% and 18% decrease respectively from the five-year average, while ice damage accidents showed an 8% increase.

Figure 3 - Shipping Accidents by Accident Type

Figure 3. Shipping Accidents by Accident Type[D]f3

Type of Vessels (Table 1): In 2007, there were 19 885 fishing vessels in Canada, representing 73% of all registered vessels excluding pleasure craft (source: Transport Canada). Since 1998, approximately 50% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents have been fishing vessels. In 2007, there were 190 fishing vessels involved in shipping accidents (Figure 4), compared to 208 in 2006 and the 2002-2006 average of 234. After fishing vessels, tugs/barges (17%) and bulk carrier/OBO vessels (13%) were involved most often in shipping accidents.



Figure 4 - Shipping Accidents by Vessel Type

Figure 4. Shipping Accidents by Vessel Type[D]f4

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Geographical Region (Tables 2a and 2b): In 2007, 67% of shipping accidents occurred in three of the seven geographical regions (Figure 5): the Western region (26%), the Newfoundland region (22%) and the Laurentian region (19%). Fishing vessel accidents account for three quarters of all shipping accidents in the Maritimes region. Overall, shipping accidents in the Maritimes region decreased by 41% from the 2002-2006 average.

Fishing vessel accidents dominated the accident record in coastal waters. Compared to the 2002-2006 average, fishing vessels involved in shipping accidents decreased in both the Western and Maritimes regions. However, in the Newfoundland region, 81 fishing vessels were involved in shipping accidents, up from the 2002-2006 average of 61.

The Central region accounted for 13% of shipping accidents. Within narrower waterways, accidents in this region most often involved larger commercial vessels such as cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels. The remaining 4% of shipping accidents took place in foreign waters (13) or in the Arctic region (3).



Figure 5 - Shipping Accidents by Region

Figure 5. Shipping Accidents by Region[D]f5

Vessel Flag (Tables 1, 3 and 4): In 2007, 86% of vessels involved in shipping accidents reported to the TSB were Canadian-flag vessels. In all, 49% of these were fishing vessels, 40% were commercial non-fishing vessels and the remaining 11% were non-commercial/pleasure craft or service vessels (Figure 6).

Figure 6 - Canadian-Flag Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents, 1998-2007

Figure 6. Canadian-Flag Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents,
1998-2007[D]f6

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For Canadian-flag fishing vessels, groundings (27%) and floodings (21%) were the most frequent shipping accident types. For the first time in 10 years, ice damage (13%) exceeded fire/explosion (12%). For the same period, Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels were mostly involved in strikings (28%) or groundings (18%). Marine activity for Canadian commercial non-fishing vessels increased by 2% from the 2002-2006 average, yielding a 3% decrease in the accident rate from 3.4 to 3.3 accidents per 1000 movements.

In 2007, 59 foreign-flag vessels were involved in shipping accidents in Canadian waters, 88% of which were commercial non-fishing vessels involved mainly in strikings (29%) or rudder/propeller/structural damage (25%). Marine activity for foreign commercial non-fishing vessels increased by 2% from the 2002-2006 average while accidents decreased, yielding a 6% decrease in the accident rate to 1.5 accidents per 1000 movements from the five-year average of 1.6.

Vessels Lost (Tables 1 and 6): In 2007, 28 vessels were reported lost, down from 34 in 2006 and lower than the 2002-2006 average of 30. During the past 10 years, small fishing vessels (less than 15 in gross tonnage [grt])3 have accounted for the largest proportion of vessels lost in Canada. Of the vessels lost in 2007, 6 were commercial non-fishing vessels and 21 were fishing vessels. In 2007, nearly half of vessels lost were less than 15 grt], and more than half were at least 20 years old.

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Incidents


Overview of Incidents (Tables 1, 2a and 2b)


Pursuant to mandatory reporting requirements, 222 marine incidents were reported to the TSB in 2007, up from the 2006 total of 216 and the 2002-2006 average of 218. The majority of reportable incidents consisted of engine/rudder/propeller failures. The Western and Laurentian regions had the majority of close-quarters situations (56% and 25% respectively) and engine/rudder/propeller incidents (40% and 24% respectively).

In 2007, vessels most often involved in close-quarters situations were commercial vessels (62%) and fishing vessels (24%). In the majority of these incidents, the vessels involved were cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels, fishing vessels, ferries and tugs.

In 2007, incidents in the Western region represented 31% of all marine incidents, lower than the 2002-2006 proportion of 41%. The proportion of marine incidents that took place in other regions was as follows: Laurentian 26%, Central 19%, Newfoundland 13%, and the Maritimes 8%. One reported incident took place in foreign waters and none occurred in the Arctic region.

Figure 7 - Marine Incidents by Type, 2007

Figure 7. Marine Incidents by Type, 2007[D]f7

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Appendix A - Marine Occurrence Tables

Table 1
Total Marine Occurrences
Types, Vessels and Losses Involved
1998-2007

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Shipping Accidents by Type 491 536 450 459 448 481 442 444 422 393
Collision 15 22 16 16 15 24 12 20 19 13
Capsizing 13 6 15 6 14 11 18 10 18 12
Foundering/Sinking 28 32 38 37 26 30 18 21 24 20
Fire/Explosion 65 70 64 84 53 65 51 69 55 47
Grounding 128 146 123 114 129 118 108 87 112 94
Striking 85 85 68 89 72 76 82 81 62 61
Ice Damage 11 10 6 4 2 28 17 11 2 25
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 25 40 31 19 42 39 36 43 56 41
Flooding 69 65 51 70 52 49 63 59 46 49
Other 52 60 38 20 43 41 37 43 28 31
 
Accidents Aboard Ship 59 69 77 59 36 66 50 45 50 60
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 534 581 492 507 482 526 471 491 461 431
Cargo 26 26 25 31 22 18 21 21 31 24
Bulk Carrier/OBO 68 73 59 58 57 48 52 68 59 54
Tanker 18 14 14 12 9 15 7 15 13 9
Tug 42 42 33 39 25 34 32 30 27 44
Barge 25 35 30 28 32 31 34 27 33 29
Ferry 23 22 26 24 21 25 20 26 26 23
Passenger 27 20 20 16 27 41 29 20 19 17
Fishing 251 280 238 246 238 260 227 237 208 190
Service Vessel 27 35 23 27 18 27 25 20 22 24
Non-Commercial 19 14 12 18 19 14 11 10 14 10
Other 8 20 12 8 14 13 13 17 9 7
 
By Vessel Flag 534 581 492 507 482 526 471 491 461 431
Canadian (Non-Fishing) 204 220 179 197 192 216 193 185 190 188
Canadian (Fishing) 243 273 227 232 232 253 223 230 198 184
Foreign 87 88 86 78 58 57 55 76 73 59
 
Vessels Lost by Gross Tonnage 49 45 37 51 32 38 22 26 34 28
1600 grt] and over 1 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 3 0
150 to 1599 grt] 2 3 2 3 1 2 0 0 2 0
60 to 149 grt] 6 5 3 8 4 8 5 6 6 8
15 to 59 grt] 14 7 13 15 7 12 8 7 6 8
Less than 15 grt] 16 21 16 18 12 12 3 9 12 9
Unknown Tonnage 10 8 3 6 6 2 6 4 5 3
 
Fatalities 48 29 31 34 28 17 28 20 18 14
Shipping Accidents 38 14 16 17 19 9 22 13 12 3
Accidents Aboard Ship 10 15 15 17 9 8 6 7 6 11
 
Injuries 80 84 94 70 78 95 82 66 85 80
Shipping Accidents 22 23 23 18 42 35 37 25 26 29
Accidents Aboard Ship 58 61 71 52 36 60 45 41 59 51
 
Reportable Incidents by Type 165 178 248 239 175 224 248 227 216 222
Close-quarters Situation 38 34 57 60 29 60 67 56 30 21
Engine/Rudder/Propeller 66 74 105 99 57 83 106 85 112 87
Cargo Trouble 9 1 5 4 5 3 1 4 4 1
Personal Incidents 3 5 6 8 8 14 9 4 12 20
Other 49 64 75 68 76 64 65 78 58 93
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Table 2a
Marine Occurrences by Region
1998-2007

Western Region
Central Region
Laurentian Region
Maritimes Region

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Western Region
Shipping Accidents 196 168 166 158 139 141 125 125 124 102
Accidents Aboard Ship 14 18 32 29 15 19 15 13 15 19
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 213 181 177 179 155 159 135 145 142 116
Cargo 5 4 3 8 2 5 3 2 9 3
Bulk Carrier/OBO 3 6 6 2 1 4 7 3 3 2
Tanker 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ferry/Passenger 14 10 18 15 19 26 19 26 25 12
Tug/Barge 44 40 44 39 33 31 31 34 38 42
Fishing 128 102 93 98 78 76 65 69 51 43
Other 17 18 13 17 22 17 10 11 16 14
Vessels Lost 25 19 14 22 13 11 6 8 14 9
Fatalities 6 10 10 12 10 4 8 6 6 7
Incidents 54 57 110 122 86 95 98 87 84 68
 
Central Region
Shipping Accidents 64 54 46 68 57 53 59 52 46 50
Accidents Aboard Ship 8 5 7 3 3 2 7 3 4 9
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 67 59 54 79 63 59 62 55 50 54
Cargo 2 1 5 5 6 2 11 4 4 6
Bulk Carrier/OBO 30 33 22 32 25 15 22 28 24 20
Tanker 3 4 6 6 2 4 1 4 2 1
Ferry/Passenger 13 7 8 13 13 14 7 3 7 11
Tug/Barge 10 8 3 11 12 15 10 9 6 9
Fishing 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1
Other 8 5 9 10 3 8 9 6 5 6
Vessels Lost 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0
Fatalities 1 2 2 9 10 2 4 1 0 1
Incidents 24 16 32 26 28 23 25 32 33 43
 
Laurentian Region
Shipping Accidents 64 72 60 59 59 56 62 94 61 76
Accidents Aboard Ship 8 12 7 9 6 17 8 13 11 16
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 73 78 66 63 61 60 66 107 66 87
Cargo 9 12 8 12 6 3 5 11 11 11
Bulk Carrier/OBO 23 20 21 12 21 19 17 32 17 20
Tanker 5 6 4 4 4 5 4 11 7 7
Ferry/Passenger 10 11 8 5 7 10 11 7 3 10
Tug/Barge 6 14 4 9 5 5 7 7 8 17
Fishing 12 9 14 13 13 13 15 25 15 15
Other 8 6 7 8 5 5 7 14 5 7
Vessels Lost 2 4 2 2 3 6 1 2 0 2
Fatalities 9 5 1 2 2 2 4 2 2 0
Incidents 53 29 51 39 24 50 67 82 59 58
 
Maritimes Region
Shipping Accidents 87 118 85 90 121 129 101 95 100 64
Accidents Aboard Ship 12 17 10 10 5 13 8 7 11 8
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 95 128 95 97 128 138 108 104 107 66
Cargo 5 5 3 4 3 3 0 3 1 2
Bulk Carrier/OBO 3 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 3 1
Tanker 3 0 2 0 2 3 0 0 2 0
Ferry/Passenger 7 6 5 3 5 11 7 7 5 5
Tug/Barge 5 8 3 4 3 6 4 4 4 0
Fishing 59 92 73 75 96 99 80 79 78 50
Other 13 17 9 11 17 15 17 11 14 8
Vessels Lost 8 11 10 12 12 14 9 9 12 6
Fatalities 8 9 4 6 1 7 8 2 3 3
Incidents 17 35 35 33 26 35 28 16 21 17
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Table 2b
Marine Occurrences by Region
Occurrences, Vessels and Losses Involved
1998-2007

Newfoundland Region
Arctic Region
Foreign Waters

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Newfoundland Region
Shipping Accidents 59 94 73 69 58 80 73 70 74 85
Accidents Aboard Ship 11 11 20 5 5 9 10 8 4 4
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 59 101 76 72 60 86 73 71 76 89
Cargo 2 3 2 1 3 0 1 1 6 2
Bulk Carrier/OBO 1 2 1 2 2 3 1 1 1 0
Tanker 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 0
Ferry/Passenger 3 5 5 4 4 5 5 2 3 2
Tug/Barge 0 3 3 0 0 2 2 0 0 2
Fishing 48 76 56 58 48 71 64 62 60 81
Other 2 10 7 6 2 5 0 5 4 2
Vessels Lost 13 10 9 15 1 7 6 6 6 11
Fatalities 24 1 9 4 5 0 3 9 6 2
Incidents 12 33 15 12 5 17 20 9 11 29
 
Arctic Region
Shipping Accidents 5 15 8 4 2 7 6 0 4 3
Accidents Aboard Ship 2 3 0 0 0 5 1 0 3 1
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 5 17 8 4 2 7 8 0 4 4
Cargo 2 1 3 1 0 3 0 0 0 0
Bulk Carrier/OBO 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
Ferry/Passenger 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Tug/Barge 0 2 0 1 2 0 2 0 1 0
Fishing 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 2 9 1 0 0 3 5 0 1 3
Vessels Lost 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Fatalities 0 0 4 0 0 2 1 0 1 1
Incidents 1 1 2 1 1 1 5 0 2 0
 
Foreign Waters
Shipping Accidents 16 15 12 11 12 15 16 8 13 13
Accidents Aboard Ship 4 3 1 3 2 1 1 1 2 3
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 22 17 16 13 13 17 19 9 16 15
Cargo 1 0 1 0 2 2 1 0 0 0
Bulk Carrier/OBO 8 10 7 8 6 6 5 4 11 11
Tanker 2 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0
Ferry/Passenger 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Tug/Barge 2 2 6 3 2 6 10 3 3 3
Fishing 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 0
Other 4 4 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 1
Vessels Lost 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Fatalities 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Incidents 4 7 3 6 5 3 5 1 6 7
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Table 3
Canadian-Flag Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents by
Vessel Category and Type of Accident (Including Commercial Accident Rate)
1998-2007

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
  • * Based on data from Transport Canada (2006 and 2007 data are estimated). Note that Statistics Canada changed the method of recording tug and barge movements in 2000.

  • ** The accident rate is the number of Canadian-flag commercial vessels of 15 grt] or more (excluding passenger vessels and fishing vessels) involved in shipping accidents per 1000 vessel movements.
 
Commercial Vessels 156 157 136 146 143 165 147 140 146 148
Collision 13 11 7 8 8 20 8 15 13 10
Capsizing 2 2 6 1 3 7 4 3 8 9
Foundering/Sinking 13 8 9 14 11 6 3 6 8 9
Fire/Explosion 17 16 17 15 14 20 17 24 18 14
Grounding 43 40 32 31 42 35 31 20 35 26
Striking 32 40 36 43 37 44 46 46 36 41
Ice Damage 2 3 1 2 0 4 2 4 0 1
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 1 4 2 7 9 8 10 3 5 9
Flooding 12 4 9 7 5 4 9 7 11 6
Other 21 29 17 18 14 17 17 12 12 23
Movements* 35 885 31 315 40 081 34 843 37 619 39 802 36 208 38 905 38 910 38 945
Accident Rate** 3.5 4.9 3.1 3.9 3.3 3.3 3.8 3.4 3.3 3.3
 
Fishing Vessels 243 273 227 232 232 253 223 230 198 184
Collision 8 21 15 11 19 15 7 17 11 11
Capsizing 8 3 5 3 5 5 8 5 7 3
Foundering/Sinking 12 22 23 21 11 19 12 17 15 10
Fire/Explosion 33 37 32 57 28 38 28 31 22 22
Grounding 63 74 71 60 70 67 67 54 49 49
Striking 30 15 8 12 12 15 8 13 4 6
Ice Damage 9 6 3 2 1 21 14 5 2 23
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 13 30 20 7 29 24 20 30 48 17
Flooding 52 55 42 56 41 39 50 46 31 39
Other 15 10 8 3 16 10 9 12 9 4
 
Other Vessels 48 63 43 51 49 51 46 45 44 40
Collision 3 9 3 7 3 7 6 4 7 3
Capsizing 3 1 4 0 6 0 4 2 3 0
Foundering/Sinking 2 1 6 3 3 5 2 0 1 2
Fire/Explosion 6 10 8 8 7 7 4 9 8 7
Grounding 8 13 5 9 4 8 3 7 9 11
Striking 11 12 12 18 14 13 7 10 8 9
Ice Damage 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2
Flooding 2 3 0 4 3 2 3 2 2 3
Other 10 12 4 1 8 6 15 8 5 3
 
Total 447 493 406 429 424 469 416 415 388 372
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Table 4
Foreign-Flag Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents by
Vessel Category and Type of Accident (Including Commercial Accident Rate)
1998-2007

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
  • * Based on data from Transport Canada (2006 and 2007 data are estimated). Note that Statistics Canada changed the method of recording tug and barge movements in 2000.

  • ** The accident rate is the number of foreign-flag commercial vessels of 15 grt] or more (excluding passenger vessels and fishing vessels) involved in shipping accidents per 1000 vessel movements.
 
Commercial Vessels 73 75 71 62 50 47 48 67 62 52
Collision 3 2 5 5 1 5 3 4 6 0
Capsizing 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Foundering/Sinking 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fire/Explosion 7 6 6 6 4 0 2 5 7 5
Grounding 16 16 12 14 12 8 6 3 18 8
Striking 27 31 27 29 19 18 26 31 20 15
Ice Damage 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 1
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 8 4 7 4 3 5 4 7 2 13
Flooding 2 2 0 1 2 2 0 2 1 1
Other 9 13 12 3 8 8 4 14 8 9
Movements* 32 532 32 352 32 946 31 696 31 442 30 877 31 580 32 223 32 230 32 255
Accident Rate** 2.2 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.3 2.1 1.9 1.5
 
Fishing Vessels 8 7 11 14 6 7 4 7 10 6
Collision 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 4 2
Capsizing 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Foundering/Sinking 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Fire/Explosion 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Grounding 2 3 5 3 4 1 1 3 4 4
Striking 2 2 1 4 1 0 1 0 0 0
Ice Damage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Flooding 1 1 0 2 1 2 1 2 1 0
Other 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
 
Other Vessels 6 6 4 2 2 3 3 2 1 1
Collision 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Capsizing 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Foundering/Sinking 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Fire/Explosion 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grounding 1 2 1 0 0 1 2 2 1 1
Striking 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ice Damage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Flooding 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0
 
Total 87 88 86 78 58 57 55 76 73 59
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Table 5
Masters, Skippers and Operators Involved in Shipping Accidents
by Vessel Flag and Crew Qualification
1998-2007

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Canadian-Flag Vessels
Commercial Vessels 156 157 136 146 143 165 147 140 146 148
Master Foreign-Going 13 11 8 13 12 12 14 11 11 8
ON1 16 10 13 8 12 9 8 15 9 8
ON2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
CN1 16 2 4 6 11 14 8 6 5 5
CN2 9 8 4 6 1 2 9 5 3 4
Master-Ferry 2 1 2 1 3 4 1 2 1 1
Watchkeeping Mate 10 12 7 6 8 11 10 8 8 6
Other 17 38 25 24 29 22 29 11 16 30
Unknown 71 74 72 80 67 89 64 79 92 86
No Certificate 2 1 0 2 0 2 3 2 0 0
 
Fishing Vessels 243 273 227 232 232 253 223 230 198 184
Fishing Master - Class 1 3 2 3 4 2 3 1 2 0 1
Fishing Master - Class 2 1 3 3 3 8 3 4 9 3 1
Fishing Master - Class 3 8 10 11 9 17 16 9 14 10 5
Fishing Master - Class 4 9 13 12 22 19 19 19 23 17 10
Fishing - Other Certificate 1 0 5 1 4 5 2 3 5 0
Watchkeeping Mate 1 0 1 4 3 1 2 0 0 0
Other 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 3 0 2
Unknown 198 238 182 160 126 154 147 133 144 163
No Certificate 22 5 8 28 52 52 38 43 19 2
 
Other Vessels 48 63 43 51 49 51 46 45 44 40
Master Foreign-Going 3 13 4 10 9 7 6 6 5 3
ON1 4 3 5 1 2 4 4 3 4 1
ON2 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0
CN1 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 2 1
CN2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 2
Watchkeeping Mate 5 0 4 8 6 2 6 2 3 1
Other 12 14 6 4 5 10 10 9 4 8
Unknown 20 30 23 24 25 27 16 21 26 23
No Certificate 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 1
 
Foreign-Flag Vessels
Commercial Vessels 73 75 71 62 50 47 48 67 62 52
Master Foreign-Going 38 36 46 33 25 17 19 20 26 20
CN1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
CN2 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Other 9 6 3 2 0 0 0 0 2 0
Unknown 25 33 21 27 24 30 29 46 34 32
 
Fishing Vessels 8 7 11 14 6 7 4 7 10 6
Certificate 1 0 4 2 1 2 1 0 0 0
Unknown 7 7 7 12 5 5 3 7 10 6
No Certificate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Other Vessels 6 6 4 2 2 3 3 2 1 1
Master Foreign-Going 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Other 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown 5 4 4 2 2 3 3 1 1 1
No Certificate 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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Table 6
Vessels Lost by Vessel Category and Age
1998-2007

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Commercial Vessels 8 5 4 7 8 4 1 2 9 6
Unknown 0 1 0 0 4 2 0 1 2 2
0-4 years 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
5-9 years 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
10-14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15-19 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20-24 years 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-29 years 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30+ years 5 2 3 4 3 2 1 1 7 4
 
Fishing Vessels 41 39 30 44 20 32 19 24 24 21
Unknown 8 4 4 7 4 2 5 3 4 3
0-4 years 2 1 0 2 0 2 2 2 2 1
5-9 years 6 3 4 1 4 2 2 1 4 1
10-14 years 3 5 6 9 3 4 0 2 2 3
15-19 years 5 7 4 3 1 5 3 7 3 2
20-24 years 4 5 4 7 2 5 3 3 3 3
25-29 years 5 2 2 2 3 5 1 4 1 4
30+ years 8 12 6 13 3 7 3 2 5 4
 
Other Vessels 0 1 3 0 4 2 2 0 1 1
Unknown 0 0 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 1
0-4 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5-9 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10-14 years 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15-19 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20-24 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-29 years 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30+ years 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0
 
All Vessels 49 45 37 51 32 38 22 26 34 28
Unknown 8 5 6 7 9 5 7 4 7 6
0-4 years 2 2 0 3 1 2 2 2 2 1
5-9 years 7 3 4 2 4 2 2 1 4 1
10-14 years 3 6 6 9 3 4 0 2 2 3
15-19 years 5 7 4 3 1 5 3 7 3 2
20-24 years 4 6 5 8 2 5 3 3 3 3
25-29 years 7 2 3 2 3 5 1 4 1 4
30+ years 13 14 9 17 9 10 4 3 12 8
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Table 7
Accidents, Fatalities and Injuries by Type of Accident
1998-2007

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
  • * The total number of fatalities includes missing persons.
Shipping Accidents with Fatalities or Injuries
Collision 2 3 1 2 4 2 1 4 0 0
Capsizing 5 2 6 3 4 3 7 6 6 4
Sinking/Foundering 5 4 7 5 3 2 7 1 1 3
Fire/Explosion 1 2 1 2 5 4 2 1 4 1
Grounding 0 3 2 2 4 2 0 0 3 0
Striking 1 2 3 4 4 5 2 5 2 3
Other 2 4 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 1
Total 16 20 22 19 25 19 21 17 16 12
 
Fatalities*
Collision 2 5 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 0
Capsizing 6 2 6 3 10 5 9 10 6 2
Sinking/Foundering 28 5 7 10 7 2 11 3 1 0
Fire/Explosion 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0
Grounding 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Striking 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Other 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 38 14 16 17 19 9 22 13 12 3
 
Injuries
Collision 0 3 0 1 4 1 2 7 0 0
Capsizing 5 0 5 1 0 2 7 4 1 2
Sinking/Foundering 14 5 5 6 4 2 4 0 0 3
Fire/Explosion 1 1 3 2 7 4 6 1 6 9
Grounding 0 3 3 3 10 3 0 0 3 0
Striking 1 4 5 5 16 22 15 13 16 14
Other 1 7 2 0 1 1 3 0 0 1
Total 22 23 23 18 42 35 37 25 26 29
 
Accidents Aboard Ship 59 69 77 59 36 66 50 45 50 60
Fatalities*
Carried Overboard 0 0 1 2 0 3 0 0 0 2
Caught by Cargo/Machinery 1 5 1 3 1 2 1 1 0 1
Fell Overboard 4 6 7 8 3 2 2 3 2 2
Fell into Tank/Hold 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fell on Deck or off Quay 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0
Heavy Weather 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Suicide (Suspected) 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
Other 2 3 5 2 5 0 2 0 3 5
Total 10 15 15 17 9 8 6 7 5 10
 
Injuries
Carried Overboard 1 0 1 3 2 2 2 3 0 2
Caught by Cargo/Machinery 24 17 33 16 11 25 16 17 23 13
Fell Overboard 3 5 4 2 2 1 1 1 0 1
Fell into Tank/Hold 2 3 2 1 1 3 0 0 0 5
Fell on Deck or off Quay 4 9 12 8 7 9 4 8 5 6
Heavy Weather 2 0 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 0
Suicide (Suspected) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 21 27 19 20 13 18 19 11 19 18
Total 58 61 71 52 36 60 43 40 47 45
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Table 8
Accidents, Fatalities and Injuries by Type of Vessel
1998-2007

  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
  • * The total number of fatalities includes missing persons.
Shipping Accidents with Fatalities or Injuries
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Tug/Barge 1 2 5 3 3 0 2 1 0 5
Fishing 10 10 9 10 13 11 10 9 9 3
Passenger 1 1 1 0 2 3 1 1 1 0
Ferry 0 0 1 0 2 4 2 3 2 3
Other 3 6 5 5 5 1 6 3 2 0
Total 16 20 22 19 25 19 21 17 16 12
 
Fatalities*
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 21 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Tug/Barge 0 0 1 4 1 0 3 0 0 2
Fishing 14 7 5 10 9 8 13 11 8 1
Passenger 2 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
Ferry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Other 1 6 4 3 5 1 6 2 1 0
Total 38 14 16 17 19 9 22 13 12 3
 
Injuries
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1
Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Tug/Barge 2 4 7 2 6 0 0 3 0 6
Fishing 11 10 7 10 18 10 8 8 5 2
Passenger 2 3 0 0 1 8 10 4 8 0
Ferry 0 0 1 0 14 17 7 9 8 20
Other 3 6 8 4 3 0 12 1 3 0
  22 23 23 18 42 35 37 25 26 29
 
Accidents Aboard Ship
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 16 14 15 16 9 16 15 6 13 16
Tanker 1 2 2 3 0 3 1 2 5 2
Tug/Barge 7 3 3 7 4 4 3 5 4 7
Fishing 19 28 34 23 13 27 26 15 21 21
Passenger 6 6 5 2 2 0 0 5 2 4
Ferry 1 2 4 0 4 4 3 3 1 0
Other 9 14 14 8 4 12 2 9 4 10
Total 59 69 77 59 36 66 50 45 50 60
 
Fatalities*
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 3 4 3 3 1 0 1 1 2 2
Tanker 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Tug/Barge 1 1 2 4 0 2 0 0 1 1
Fishing 4 8 8 8 5 4 3 3 2 5
Passenger 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Ferry 0 1 1 0 1 2 1 1 0 0
Other 1 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 3
Total 10 15 15 17 9 8 6 7 6 11
 
Injuries
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 19 10 15 14 9 18 14 5 19 15
Tanker 1 2 2 2 0 3 1 2 4 2
Tug/Barge 6 2 3 8 5 2 3 5 3 6
Fishing 16 25 29 16 14 23 23 13 19 16
Passenger 7 8 4 3 2 0 0 4 6 4
Ferry 1 1 4 0 4 2 2 3 1 0
Other 8 13 14 9 2 12 1 9 5 8
Total 58 61 71 52 36 60 44 41 57 51
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Appendix B - Definitions


The following definitions apply to marine occurrences that are required to be reported pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the associated regulations.

Marine Occurrence

  1. any accident or incident associated with the operation of a ship4 and
  2. any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described in paragraph a) above.
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The Act applies

  1. in Canada; and
  2. in any other place, including waters described in paragraph c), if
    1. Canada is requested to investigate the marine occurrence by an appropriate authority,
    2. the marine occurrence involves a ship registered or licensed in Canada, or
    3. a competent witness to, or person having information concerning a matter that may have contributed to, the marine occurrence arrives or is found at any place in Canada.
  3. This Act also applies in respect of marine occurrences related to an activity concerning the exploration or exploitation of the continental shelf.
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Reportable Marine Accident

An accident resulting directly from the operation of a ship other than a pleasure craft,5 where

  1. a person sustains a serious injury or is killed as a result of
    1. being on board the ship or falling overboard from the ship, or
    2. coming into contact with any part of the ship or its contents, or
  2. the ship:
    1. sinks, founders or capsizes,
    2. is involved in a collision (which includes collisions, strikings and contacts),
    3. sustains a fire or an explosion,
    4. goes aground,
    5. sustains damage that affects its seaworthiness or renders it unfit for its purpose, or
    6. is missing or abandoned.

For statistical purposes, accidents defined in paragraph a) are classified as "Accidents Aboard Ship" and accidents defined in paragraph b) are classified as "Shipping Accidents."

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Reportable Marine Incident

An incident resulting directly from the operation of a ship, other than a pleasure craft, where:

  1. a person falls overboard from the ship;
  2. the ship, of 100 gross tons or more, unintentionally makes contact with the bottom without going aground;
  3. the ship fouls a utility cable or pipe, or underwater pipeline;
  4. the ship is involved in a risk of collision;
  5. the ship sustains a total failure of any machinery;
  6. the ship sustains a shifting of cargo or a loss of cargo overboard;
  7. the ship is intentionally grounded or beached to avoid an accident;
  8. any crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the ship is unable to perform the crew member's duties as a result of a physical incapacitation that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment; or
  9. any dangerous goods are released on board or from the ship.
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Vessels Covered

This report covers commercial vessels that include all vessels either registered or licensed to operate commercially. Pleasure craft occurrences are not normally included unless they also involved a commercial vessel.

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Vessel Categories

  • Commercial vessels: include cargo vessels, ferries, tankers, passenger vessels, tugs and barges.

  • Fishing vessels: include vessels involved in commercial fishing.

  • Other vessels: include research vessels, oil exploration, exploitation and support vessels, government vessels and pleasure craft.

Type of Vessel

Cargo: Ship designed for the carriage of various types and forms of cargo and the combined carriage of general cargo and passengers with 12 or less fare-paying passengers.

Bulk Carrier: Ships specifically designed for bulk carriage of ore or other dry cargo.

OBO (Oil/Bulk/Ore Carrier): Ships specifically designed for bulk carriage of ore with additional facilities for alternative, but not simultaneous, carriage of oil or loose dry cargo.

Tanker: Propelled ships designed and constructed for the bulk carriage of liquids.

Tug: Vessels designed for the towing and pushing of ships or other floating structures. Additional activity may include salvage, fire-fighting and work duties of a general nature.

Barge: Vessels designed as non-propelled units for the carriage of cargo in holds or in tanks or weather deck cargo space only for the carriage of non-perishable cargo, or specially outfitted for specific operations.

Ferry: Ships that follow a regular scheduled service of relatively short duration, designed for the carriage of passengers and vehicles. There is usually no cabin accommodation for passengers or not all passengers are accommodated in cabins where cabins are provided.

Passenger: Vessels designed for the carriage of passengers.

Fishing: Vessels designed for fishing operations and support.

Service: Vessels designed for supporting marine transportation such as icebreakers, buoy tenders, search and rescue vessels, pilot boats and fireboats.

Non-commercial: Vessels designed to conduct non-commercial activities such as pleasure craft, seaplanes and naval vessels.

Other: Vessels designed for other functions such as laying and repair of sea-bed cables, dredging, training, patrolling as well as ships and platforms designed for the extraction, processing, and storage of oil/gas from offshore wells; ships designed for the carriage of stores and cargo to offshore installations; ships outfitted for support activities related to offshore oil and gas exploration; and vessels designed for research work such as seismic research, oceanic and hydrographic survey.

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Type of Accident

Collision: An impact between two or more vessels under way.

Capsizing: To turn over.

Foundering: To fill from above the waterline and sink.

Sinking: To become submerged from water intake below the waterline and settle to the bottom.

Fire: Where a fire is the first event reported.

Explosion: Where an explosion is the first event reported.

Grounding: To touch bottom and remain stranded.

Striking: A hard impact with a stationary object or a vessel not under way.

Ice Damage: Damage sustained as a consequence of contact with ice.

Propeller Damage: Damage to a vessel propeller, propeller portion or propeller adjoining parts affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.

Rudder Damage: Damage to a vessel rudder or rudder adjoining parts affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.

Structural Damage: Hull damage, such as cracks and fractures, sustained by a vessel affecting its seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose.

Flooding: To fill a compartment below the waterline with water admitted from the sea.

Other: Vessels lost or damaged for other reasons, including contact defined as a lateral/light impact with another vessel or an object (that is, bottom contact affecting a vessel's seaworthiness or rendering the vessel unfit for its purpose).

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Miscellaneous

Gross tons (grt]): A measure of vessel capacity in cubic feet of the spaces within the hull, and of enclosed spaces above deck available for cargo, stores, fuel, passengers and crew, with certain exclusions. One hundred cubic feet is equivalent to one gross ton.

Movement: A vessel's travel segment between ports with at least one port being a domestic port.

Under way: Vessel not at anchor or made fast to shore or aground.

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Appendix C - Regional Limits


Appendix C - Regional Limits

  1. It is agreed by convention that, for a result to be considered statistically significant, its probability must be lower than 1 in 20 (that is, p<.05).↑

  2. Oil/bulk/ore carrier (OBO), see Appendix B.↑

  3. The majority of vessels classified under unknown tonnage were vessels of 15 tons or less in gross tonnage.↑

  4. Ship includes:
    a) every description of vessel, boat or craft designed, used or capable of being used solely or partly for marine navigation without regard to method or lack of propulsion, and
    b) a dynamically supported craft.↑

  5. Pleasure craft means a ship that is used for pleasure or recreation and does not carry goods or passengers for hire or reward.↑

Date Modified: 2009-09-03
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Important Notices