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 Statistical Summary Marine Occurrences 2009

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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. Information in this summary is also posted on the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) website at www.bst-tsb.gc.ca.

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 2009 statistics presented here reflect the TSB database updated as of 18 March 2010.

To enhance awareness and increase the safety value of the material presented in the Statistical Summary, Marine Occurrences 2009, 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 2009
      Cat. No. TU1-1/2009E
      ISBN 978-0-100-17632-1

 

Marine Occurrences in 2009

Accidents

Overview of Accidents and Casualties (Tables 1 and 8)

In 2009, 390 marine accidents were reported to the TSB, down from the 2008 total of 420 and the 2004–2008 average of 466. Over the past 10 years, nearly 90% of marine accidents have been shipping accidents, while the remainder were accidents aboard ship (see Appendix B – Definitions).

Shipping accidents reached a 35-year low of 338 in 2009, a 6% decrease from the 2008 total of 361 and an 18% decrease from the 2004–2008 average of 413. Statistical analysis using linear regression indicates that there has been a significant downward trend1 in the number of shipping accidents since 2000 (p<0.01) (Figure 1). In 2009, there were 52 accidents aboard ship, down from 59 in 2008 and down from the 2004–2008 average of 53. The majority of accidents aboard ship occurred on fishing vessels (37%) and cargo/bulk carrier/OBO2 vessels (29%).

Figure 1 - Accidents Aboard Ship and Shipping Accidents, 2000-2009 [D]
Figure 1 - Accidents Aboard Ship and Shipping Accidents, 2000-2009

Marine-related fatalities totalled 16 in 2009 (Figure 2), down from the 2008 total of 25 and the 2004–2008 average of 21. This decrease consisted mainly of a decrease in shipping accident fatalities, which totalled 9 in 2009, down from 14 in 2008 and the five-year average of 13. In all, 11 of the 16 fatalities resulted from fishing vessel accidents. Injuries in 2009 numbered 67, down from 73 in 2008 and the 2004–2008 average of 77. Of the 67 injuries in 2009, 52 were serious and 47 resulted from accidents aboard ship.

Figure 2 - Marine Fatalities and Injuries, 2000-2009 [D]
Figure 2 - Marine Fatalities and Injuries, 2000-2009

Shipping Accidents

Type of Accidents (Table 1): As illustrated in Figure 3, the most frequent types of shipping accidents in 2009 were groundings (33%) and fire/explosions (15%). Groundings increased by 16% from the five-year average, while fire/explosions decreased by 9% and striking accidents decreased by 28%.

Figure 3 - Shipping Accidents by Accident Type [D]
Figure 3 - Shipping Accidents by Accident Type

Type of Vessels (Table 1): In 2009, there were 23 533 registered fishing vessels in Canada, representing 58% of all registered vessels excluding pleasure craft (source: Transport Canada). Since 2000, 46% of the vessels involved in shipping accidents have been fishing vessels. In 2009, there were 139 fishing vessels involved in shipping accidents (Figure 4), compared to 173 in 2008 and the 2004–2008 average of 207. After fishing vessels, bulk carriers/OBO vessels (14%) and tugs/barges (13%) were involved most often in shipping accidents.

Figure 4 - Shipping Accidents by Vessel Type [D]
Figure 4 - Shipping Accidents by Vessel Type

Geographical Region (Tables 2a and 2b): In 2009, 76% of shipping accidents occurred in three of the seven geographical regions (Figure 5): the Western region (34%), the Laurentian region (23%) and the Maritimes region (19%). Shipping accidents decreased from the 2004–2008 average by 52% in the Newfoundland region and 26% in the Maritimes region. The Central region had 35 shipping accidents, down 31% from the 2004–2008 average of 51. The Central and Newfoundland regions each accounted for 10% of shipping accidents. Within the narrower waterways of the Central region, accidents most often involved larger commercial vessels such as cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels. The remaining 4% of shipping accidents took place in foreign waters (6) or in the Arctic region (6).

Although accidents involving fishing vessels accounted for approximately three-quarters of all shipping accidents in the Maritimes region, fishing vessels involved in shipping accidents decreased in the Western, Maritimes and Newfoundland regions compared to the 2004-2008 average. In the Newfoundland region, 19 fishing vessels were involved in shipping accidents, down 69% from the 2004-2008 average of 62.

Figure 5 - Shipping Accidents by Region [D]
Figure 5 - Shipping Accidents by Region

Vessel Flag (Tables 1, 3 and 4): In 2009, 83% of the 372 vessels involved in shipping accidents reported to the TSB were Canadian-flag vessels. In all, 43% of the Canadian-flag vessels were fishing vessels, 49% were commercial non-fishing vessels and the remaining 8% were non-commercial/pleasure craft or service vessels (Figure 6).

Figure 6 - Canadian-Flag Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents, 2000-2009 [D]
Figure 6 - Canadian-Flag Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents, 2000-2009

For Canadian-flag fishing vessels in 2009, groundings (42%) and fire/explosions (19%) were the most frequent shipping accident types. Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels were mostly involved in groundings (30%) or strikings (23%). Marine activity for Canadian commercial non-fishing vessels over 15 gross tons (excluding passenger vessels and cruise ships) decreased by 8% from the 2004–2008 average. This yields an accident rate of 3.3 accidents per 1000 movements, down from the five-year average of 3.6.

In 2009, 63 foreign-flag vessels were involved in shipping accidents in Canadian waters, 86% of which were commercial non-fishing vessels involved mainly in strikings (31%) or groundings (11%). Marine activity for foreign commercial non-fishing vessels decreased by 3.0% from the 2004-2008 average while the accident rate decreased to 1.6 accidents per 1000 movements, down from the five-year average of 1.7.

Vessels Lost (Tables 1 and 6):In 2009, 26 vessels were reported lost, down from 35 in 2008 and the 2004–2008 average of 30. During the past 10 years, small fishing vessels (less than 15 gross tons [grt])3 have accounted for the largest proportion of vessels lost in Canada. Of the 26 vessels lost in 2009, 7 were commercial non-fishing vessels and 16 were fishing vessels. In 2009, over one-third of vessels lost were less than 15 grt, and half were 20 years or older.

Incidents

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

Pursuant to mandatory reporting requirements, 228 marine incidents were reported to the TSB in 2009, down from the 2008 total of 248 and the 2004-2008 average of 233. The majority of reportable incidents consisted of engine/rudder/propeller failures. The Western region had the majority of close-quarters situations (92%) and engine/rudder/propeller incidents (56%).

In 2009, incidents in the Western region represented 49% of all marine incidents. The proportion of marine incidents in other regions was as follows: Laurentian 21%, Central 15%, Maritimes 7% and Newfoundland 5%. Eight reported incidents took place in foreign waters, and one occurred in the Arctic region.

In 2009, vessels most often involved in close-quarters situations were commercial vessels (75%) and fishing vessels (16%). In the majority of these incidents, the vessels involved were cargo/bulk carrier/OBO vessels, fishing vessels, ferries and tugs.

Figure 7 - Marine Incidents by Type, 2009 [D]
Figure 7 - Marine Incidents by Type, 2009

Appendix A — Marine Occurence Tables

Table 1 Total Marine Occurances Types, Vessels and Losses Involved 2000-2009
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Shipping Accidents by Type 450 459 448 481 442 444 422 397 361 338
Collision 16 16 15 24 12 20 19 13 17 15
Capsizing 15 6 14 11 18 10 18 12 13 8
Foundering/Sinking 38 37 26 30 18 21 24 20 32 22
Fire/Explosion 64 84 53 65 51 69 55 49 62 52
Grounding 123 114 129 118 108 87 112 95 71 110
Striking 68 89 72 76 82 81 62 61 57 50
Ice Damage 6 4 2 28 17 11 2 25 15 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 31 19 42 39 36 43 56 41 15 16
Flooding 51 70 52 49 63 59 46 49 45 34
Other 38 20 43 41 37 43 27 32 34 31
 
Accidents Aboard Ship 77 59 36 66 50 45 50 61 59 52
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 492 507 482 526 471 491 461 435 410 372
Cargo 25 31 22 18 21 21 30 24 18 21
Bulk Carrier/OBO 59 58 57 48 52 70 60 56 49 52
Tanker 14 12 9 15 7 15 13 9 5 10
Tug 33 39 25 34 32 30 27 44 48 21
Barge 30 28 32 31 34 27 33 29 29 28
Ferry 26 24 21 25 20 26 26 24 30 25
Passenger 20 16 27 41 29 20 19 17 14 15
Fishing 238 246 238 260 227 237 208 190 173 139
Service Vessel 23 27 18 27 25 20 22 25 25 33
Non-Commercial 12 18 19 14 11 10 14 10 11 12
Other 12 8 14 13 13 17 9 7 8 16
 
By Vessel Flag 492 507 482 526 471 491 461 435 410 372
Canadian (Non-Fishing) 179 197 192 216 193 185 190 192 196 175
Canadian (Fishing) 227 232 232 253 223 230 198 184 172 134
Foreign 86 78 58 57 55 76 73 59 42 63
 
Vessels Lost by Gross Tonnage 37 51 32 38 22 26 35 31 35 26
1600 grt] and over 0 1 2 2 0 0 3 0 0 3
150 to 1599 grt] 2 3 1 2 0 0 2 1 3 0
60 to 149 grt] 3 8 4 8 5 6 7 8 4 5
15 to 59 grt] 13 15 7 12 8 7 6 9 14 6
Less than 15 grt] 16 18 12 12 3 9 13 10 11 6
Unknown Tonnage 3 6 6 2 6 4 4 3 3 6
 
Fatalities 31 34 28 17 28 20 18 14 25 16
Shipping Accidents 16 17 19 9 22 13 12 3 14 9
Accidents Aboard Ship 15 17 9 8 6 7 6 11 11 7
 
Injuries 94 70 78 95 82 66 81 82 73 67
Shipping Accidents 23 18 42 35 37 25 26 29 22 20
Accidents Aboard Ship 71 52 36 60 45 41 55 53 51 47
 
Reportable Incidents by Type 248 239 175 224 248 227 216 228 248 228
Close-quarters Situation 57 60 29 60 67 56 30 21 20 12
Engine/Rudder/Propeller 105 99 57 83 106 85 112 90 129 124
Cargo Trouble 5 4 5 3 1 4 4 1 6 5
Personal Incidents 6 8 8 14 9 4 12 21 10 9
Other 75 68 76 64 65 78 58 95 83 78


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Table 2a - Marine Occurences by Region, Occurences, Vessels and Losses Involved 2000-2009.
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Western Region
Shipping Accidents 166 158 139 141 125 125 124 102 109 114
Accidents Aboard Ship 32 29 15 19 15 13 15 19 15 21
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 177 179 155 159 135 145 142 116 131 127
Cargo 3 8 2 5 3 2 9 3 3 9
Bulk Carrier/OBO 6 2 1 4 7 3 3 2 4 4
Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Ferry/Passenger 18 15 19 26 19 26 25 12 15 15
Tug/Barge 44 39 33 31 31 34 38 42 48 24
Fishing 93 98 78 76 65 69 51 43 54 49
Other 13 17 22 17 10 11 16 14 7 25
Vessels Lost 14 22 13 11 6 8 15 11 10 7
Fatalities 10 12 10 4 8 6 6 7 9 8
Incidents 110 122 86 95 98 87 84 68 146 111
 
Central Region
Shipping Accidents 46 68 57 53 59 52 46 51 45 35
Accidents Aboard Ship 7 3 3 2 7 3 4 9 14 6
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 54 79 63 59 62 55 50 55 51 38
Cargo 5 5 6 2 11 3 3 6 4 0
Bulk Carrier/OBO 22 32 25 15 22 29 25 21 23 19
Tanker 6 6 2 4 1 4 2 1 2 3
Ferry/Passenger 8 13 13 14 7 3 7 11 2 0
Tug/Barge 3 11 12 15 10 9 6 9 12 7
Fishing 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1
Other 9 10 3 8 9 6 5 6 7 8
Vessels Lost 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 1
Fatalities 2 9 10 2 4 1 0 1 0 0
Incidents 32 26 28 23 25 32 33 45 28 34
 
Laurentian Region
Shipping Accidents 60 59 59 56 62 94 61 76 56 78
Accidents Aboard Ship 7 9 6 17 8 13 11 16 15 10
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 66 63 61 60 66 107 66 87 60 89
Cargo 8 12 6 3 5 11 11 11 7 10
Bulk Carrier/OBO 21 12 21 19 17 32 17 20 14 25
Tanker 4 4 4 5 4 11 7 7 3 4
Ferry/Passenger 8 5 7 10 11 7 3 10 12 8
Tug/Barge 4 9 5 5 7 7 8 17 7 12
Fishing 14 13 13 13 15 25 15 15 9 20
Other 7 8 5 5 7 14 5 7 8 10
Vessels Lost 2 2 3 6 1 2 0 2 0 3
Fatalities 1 2 2 2 4 2 2 0 3 2
Incidents 51 39 24 50 67 82 59 58 40 47
 
Maritimes Region
Shipping Accidents 85 90 121 129 101 95 100 64 77 64
Accidents Aboard Ship 10 10 5 13 8 7 11 8 6 10
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 95 97 128 138 108 104 107 66 88 71
Cargo 3 4 3 3 0 3 1 2 0 2
Bulk Carrier/OBO 0 0 2 1 0 1 3 1 1 0
Tanker 2 0 2 3 0 0 2 0 0 1
Ferry/Passenger 5 3 5 11 7 7 5 5 9 7
Tug/Barge 3 4 3 6 4 4 4 0 2 2
Fishing 73 75 96 99 80 79 78 50 63 50
Other 9 11 17 15 17 11 14 8 13 9
Vessels Lost 10 12 12 14 9 9 12 7 15 5
Fatalities 4 6 1 7 8 2 3 3 9 3
Incidents 35 33 26 35 28 16 21 18 16 16


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Table 2b - Marine Occurrences by Region, Occurrences, Vessels and Losses Involved 2000-2009
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Newfoundland Region
Shipping Accidents 73 69 58 80 73 70 74 87 61 35
Accidents Aboard Ship 20 5 5 9 10 8 4 4 5 4
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 76 72 60 86 73 71 76 91 64 35
Cargo 2 1 3 0 1 1 6 2 3 0
Bulk Carrier/OBO 1 2 2 3 1 1 1 0 1 1
Tanker 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Ferry/Passenger 5 4 4 5 5 2 3 3 6 10
Tug/Barge 3 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 1
Fishing 56 58 48 71 64 62 60 81 45 19
Other 7 6 2 5 0 5 4 3 7 4
Vessels Lost 9 15 1 7 6 6 6 11 8 8
Fatalities 9 4 5 0 3 9 6 2 2 3
Incidents 15 12 5 17 20 9 11 30 9 12
 
Arctic Region
Shipping Accidents 8 4 2 7 6 0 4 3 5 6
Accidents Aboard Ship 0 0 0 5 1 0 3 1 1 0
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 8 4 2 7 8 0 4 4 5 6
Cargo 3 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0
Bulk Carrier/OBO 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tanker 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
Ferry/Passenger 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Tug/Barge 0 1 2 0 2 0 1 0 2 3
Fishing 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Other 1 0 0 3 5 0 1 3 1 3
Vessels Lost 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Fatalities 4 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 0
Incidents 2 1 1 1 5 0 2 0 1 2
 
Foreign Waters
Shipping Accidents 12 11 12 15 16 8 13 14 8 6
Accidents Aboard Ship 1 3 2 1 1 1 2 4 3 1
 
Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents
By Type of Vessel 16 13 13 17 19 9 16 16 11 6
Cargo 1 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
Bulk Carrier/OBO 7 8 6 6 5 4 11 12 6 3
Tanker 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1
Ferry/Passenger 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Tug/Barge 6 3 2 6 10 3 3 3 4 0
Fishing 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0
Other 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 2
Vessels Lost 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Fatalities 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Incidents 3 6 5 3 5 1 6 7 8 6


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Table 3 - Canadian-Flag Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents by Vessel Category and Type of Accident (Including Commercial Accident Rate) 2000-2009
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
  • * Based on data from Transport Canada (2008 and 2009 data are estimated).
  • ** 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 136 146 143 165 147 140 146 151 158 118
Collision 7 8 8 20 8 15 13 10 9 7
Capsizing 6 1 3 7 4 3 8 9 4 3
Foundering/Sinking 9 14 11 6 3 6 8 9 11 13
Fire/Explosion 17 15 14 20 17 24 18 15 21 12
Grounding 32 31 42 35 31 20 35 27 26 35
Striking 36 43 37 44 46 46 37 41 45 27
Ice Damage 1 2 0 4 2 4 0 2 0 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 2 7 9 8 10 3 5 9 9 6
Flooding 9 7 5 4 9 7 11 6 21 6
Other 17 18 14 17 17 12 11 23 12 9
Movements* 40 081 34 843 37 619 39 802 36 208 39 264 41 076 34 139 34 048 33 971
Accident Rate** 3.1 3.9 3.3 3.3 3.8 3.4 3.1 3.9 4.1 3.3
 
Fishing Vessels 227 232 232 253 223 230 198 184 172 134
Collision 15 11 19 15 7 17 11 11 13 6
Capsizing 5 3 5 5 8 5 7 3 5 3
Foundering/Sinking 23 21 11 19 12 17 15 10 20 7
Fire/Explosion 32 57 28 38 28 31 22 22 35 25
Grounding 71 60 70 67 67 54 49 49 36 56
Striking 8 12 12 15 8 13 4 6 7 4
Ice Damage 3 2 1 21 14 5 2 23 15 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 20 7 29 24 20 30 48 17 4 1
Flooding 42 56 41 39 50 46 31 39 24 20
Other 8 3 16 10 9 12 9 4 13 12
 
Other Vessels 43 51 49 51 46 45 44 41 38 57
Collision 3 7 3 7 6 4 7 3 8 10
Capsizing 4 0 6 0 4 2 3 0 3 2
Foundering/Sinking 6 3 3 5 2 0 1 2 2 2
Fire/Explosion 8 8 7 7 4 9 8 8 4 10
Grounding 5 9 4 8 3 7 9 11 5 13
Striking 12 18 14 13 7 10 9 9 5 6
Ice Damage 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 1
Flooding 0 4 3 2 3 2 2 3 1 4
Other 4 1 8 6 15 8 4 3 8 9
 
Total 406 429 424 469 416 415 388 376 368 309


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Table 4 - Foreign-Flag Vessels Involved in Shipping Accidents by Vessel Category and Type of Accident (Including Commercial Accident Rate) 2000-2009
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
  • * Based on data from Transport Canada (2008 and 2009 data are estimated).
  • ** 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 71 62 50 47 48 67 62 52 35 54
Collision 5 5 1 5 3 4 6 0 2 6
Capsizing 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0
Foundering/Sinking 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fire/Explosion 6 6 4 0 2 5 7 5 3 4
Grounding 12 14 12 8 6 3 18 8 7 6
Striking 27 29 19 18 26 31 20 15 12 17
Ice Damage 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 7 4 3 5 4 7 2 13 0 8
Flooding 0 1 2 2 0 2 1 1 0 3
Other 12 3 8 8 4 14 8 10 10 10
Movements* 32 946 31 696 31 442 30 877 31 580 32 234 31 425 30 612 30 530 30 462
Accident Rate** 2.2 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.3 1.3 2.2 2.0 1.6
 
Fishing Vessels 11 14 6 7 4 7 10 6 1 5
Collision 1 1 0 1 0 1 4 2 0 1
Capsizing 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Foundering/Sinking 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Fire/Explosion 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Grounding 5 3 4 1 1 3 4 4 0 3
Striking 1 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Ice Damage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Propeller/Rudder/
Structural Damage		 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Flooding 0 2 1 2 1 2 1 0 0 1
Other 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Other Vessels 4 2 2 3 3 2 1 1 6 4
Collision 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1
Capsizing 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Foundering/Sinking 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fire/Explosion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Grounding 1 0 0 1 2 2 1 1 1 1
Striking 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 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 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1
 
Total 86 78 58 57 55 76 73 59 42 63


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Table 5 - Masters, Skippers and Operators Involved in Shipping Accidents by Vessel Flag and Crew Qualification 2000-2009
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Canadian-Flag Vessels
Commercial Vessels 136 146 143 165 147 140 146 151 158 118
Master Foreign-Going 8 13 12 12 14 11 11 9 12 4
ON1 13 8 12 9 8 15 9 8 4 7
ON2 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1
CN1 4 6 11 14 8 6 5 5 4 3
CN2 4 6 1 2 9 5 3 4 6 6
Master-Ferry 2 1 3 4 1 2 1 2 2 2
Watchkeeping Mate 7 6 8 11 10 8 8 6 3 3
Other 25 24 29 22 29 11 16 31 36 19
Unknown 72 80 67 89 64 79 92 86 91 73
No Certificate 0 2 0 2 3 2 0 0 0 0
 
Fishing Vessels 227 232 232 253 223 230 198 184 172 134
Fishing Master - Class 1 3 4 2 3 1 2 0 1 0 0
Fishing Master - Class 2 3 3 8 3 4 9 3 1 1 3
Fishing Master - Class 3 11 9 17 16 9 14 10 5 4 5
Fishing Master - Class 4 12 22 19 19 19 23 17 10 7 17
Fishing - Other Certificate 5 1 4 5 2 3 5 0 1 0
Watchkeeping Mate 1 4 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 0
Other 2 1 1 0 1 3 0 2 5 4
Unknown 182 160 126 154 147 133 144 163 152 104
No Certificate 8 28 52 52 38 43 19 2 1 1
 
Other Vessels 43 51 49 51 46 45 44 41 38 57
Master Foreign-Going 4 10 9 7 6 6 5 4 6 2
ON1 5 1 2 4 4 3 4 1 2 6
ON2 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1
CN1 1 2 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 1
CN2 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 2 1 2
Watchkeeping Mate 4 8 6 2 6 2 3 1 1 1
Other 6 4 5 10 10 9 4 8 2 7
Unknown 23 24 25 27 16 21 26 23 26 36
No Certificate 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 1
 
Foreign-Flag Vessels
Commercial Vessels 71 62 50 47 48 67 62 52 35 54
Master Foreign-Going 46 33 25 17 19 20 26 19 17 17
CN1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
CN2 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Other 3 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1
Unknown 21 27 24 30 29 46 34 32 17 34
 
Fishing Vessels 11 14 6 7 4 7 10 6 1 5
Certificate 4 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1
Unknown 7 12 5 5 3 7 10 6 1 4
No Certificate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Other Vessels 4 2 2 3 3 2 1 1 6 4
Master Foreign-Going 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Unknown 4 2 2 3 3 1 1 1 6 3
No Certificate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


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Table 6 - Vessels Lost by Vessel Category and Age 2000-2009
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
 
Commercial Vessels 4 7 8 4 1 2 9 7 7 7
Unknown 0 0 4 2 0 1 2 2 1 4
0-4 years 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5-9 years 0 1 0 0 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 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
25-29 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
30+ years 3 4 3 2 1 1 7 5 3 3
 
Fishing Vessels 30 44 20 32 19 24 25 22 27 16
Unknown 4 7 4 2 5 3 4 3 6 0
0-4 years 0 2 0 2 2 2 2 1 0 0
5-9 years 4 1 4 2 2 1 4 1 5 2
10-14 years 6 9 3 4 0 2 2 3 2 4
15-19 years 4 3 1 5 3 7 3 2 2 0
20-24 years 4 7 2 5 3 3 3 3 4 4
25-29 years 2 2 3 5 1 4 1 4 2 2
30+ years 6 13 3 7 3 2 6 4 6 4
 
Other Vessels 3 0 4 2 2 0 1 2 1 3
Unknown 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 1 0 3
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 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 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
25-29 years 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30+ years 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
 
All Vessels 37 51 32 38 22 26 35 31 35 26
Unknown 6 7 9 5 7 4 7 6 7 7
0-4 years 0 3 1 2 2 2 2 1 0 0
5-9 years 4 2 4 2 2 1 4 1 5 2
10-14 years 6 9 3 4 0 2 2 3 2 4
15-19 years 4 3 1 5 3 7 3 3 2 0
20-24 years 5 8 2 5 3 3 3 3 6 4
25-29 years 3 2 3 5 1 4 1 4 4 2
30+ years 9 17 9 10 4 3 13 10 9 7


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Table 7 - Accidents, Fatalities and Injuries by Type of Accident 2000-2009
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
  • * The total number of fatalities includes missing persons.
Shipping Accidents with Fatalities or Injuries
Collision 1 2 4 2 1 4 0 0 1 4
Capsizing 6 3 4 3 7 6 6 4 6 2
Sinking/Foundering 7 5 3 2 7 1 1 3 5 4
Fire/Explosion 1 2 5 4 2 1 4 1 4 3
Grounding 2 2 4 2 0 0 3 0 3 2
Striking 3 4 4 5 2 5 2 3 1 3
Other 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2
Total 22 19 25 19 21 17 16 12 20 20
 
Fatalities*
Collision 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 2
Capsizing 6 3 10 5 9 10 6 2 8 2
Sinking/Foundering 7 10 7 2 11 3 1 0 6 4
Fire/Explosion 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0
Grounding 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 1
Striking 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Other 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 16 17 19 9 22 13 12 3 14 9
 
Injuries
Collision 0 1 4 1 2 7 0 0 1 4
Capsizing 5 1 0 2 7 4 1 2 8 1
Sinking/Foundering 5 6 4 2 4 0 0 3 1 4
Fire/Explosion 3 2 7 4 6 1 6 9 5 3
Grounding 3 3 10 3 0 0 3 0 6 1
Striking 5 5 16 22 15 13 16 14 1 5
Other 2 0 1 1 3 0 0 1 0 2
Total 23 18 42 35 37 25 26 29 22 20
 
Accidents Aboard Ship 77 59 36 66 50 45 50 61 59 52
Fatalities*
Carried Overboard 1 2 0 3 0 0 0 2 1 1
Caught by Cargo/Machinery 1 3 1 2 1 1 0 1 4 1
Fell Overboard 7 8 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 3
Fell into Tank/Hold 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Fell on Deck or off Quay 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Heavy Weather 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Suicide (Suspected) 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
Other 5 2 5 0 2 0 3 5 1 2
Total 15 17 9 8 6 7 6 11 9 7
 
Injuries
Carried Overboard 1 3 2 2 2 3 0 2 0 1
Caught by Cargo/Machinery 33 16 11 25 16 17 23 13 16 17
Fell Overboard 4 2 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 2
Fell into Tank/Hold 2 1 1 3 0 0 0 5 2 1
Fell on Deck or off Quay 12 8 7 9 4 8 5 6 8 3
Heavy Weather 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 3
Suicide (Suspected) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 19 20 13 18 19 11 25 25 22 17
Total 71 52 36 60 43 40 53 52 50 44


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Table 8 - Accidents, Fatalities and Injuries by Type of Vessel 2000-2009
  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
  • * The total number of fatalities includes missing persons.
Shipping Accidents with Fatalities or Injuries
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Tug/Barge 5 3 3 0 2 1 0 5 3 1
Fishing 9 10 13 11 10 9 9 3 8 9
Passenger 1 0 2 3 1 1 1 0 2 4
Ferry 1 0 2 4 2 3 2 3 1 1
Other 5 5 5 1 6 3 2 0 6 5
Total 22 19 25 19 21 17 16 12 20 20
 
Fatalities*
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Tug/Barge 1 4 1 0 3 0 0 2 0 0
Fishing 5 10 9 8 13 11 8 1 10 7
Passenger 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ferry 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Other 4 3 5 1 6 2 1 0 4 2
Total 16 17 19 9 22 13 12 3 14 9
 
Injuries
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Tug/Barge 7 2 6 0 0 3 0 6 4 1
Fishing 7 10 18 10 8 8 5 2 2 7
Passenger 0 0 1 8 10 4 8 0 4 5
Ferry 1 0 14 17 7 9 8 20 1 1
Other 8 4 3 0 12 1 3 0 11 6
  23 18 42 35 37 25 26 29 22 20
 
Accidents Aboard Ship
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 15 16 9 16 15 6 13 17 17 15
Tanker 2 3 0 3 1 2 5 2 2 1
Tug/Barge 3 7 4 4 3 5 4 7 8 5
Fishing 34 23 13 27 26 15 21 21 15 19
Passenger 5 2 2 0 0 5 2 4 6 3
Ferry 4 0 4 4 3 3 1 0 2 1
Other 14 8 4 12 2 9 4 10 9 8
Total 77 59 36 66 50 45 50 61 59 52
 
Fatalities*
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 3 3 1 0 1 1 2 2 5 0
Tanker 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Tug/Barge 2 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 1
Fishing 8 8 5 4 3 3 2 5 4 4
Passenger 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Ferry 1 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0
Other 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 3 1 2
Total 15 17 9 8 6 7 6 11 11 7
 
Injuries
Cargo/Bulk Carrier/OBO 15 14 9 18 14 5 18 17 14 15
Tanker 2 2 0 3 1 2 4 2 2 1
Tug/Barge 3 8 5 2 3 5 3 6 7 4
Fishing 29 16 14 23 23 13 19 16 11 15
Passenger 4 3 2 0 0 4 3 4 6 3
Ferry 4 0 4 2 2 3 1 0 2 1
Other 14 9 2 12 1 9 5 8 8 8
Total 71 52 36 60 44 41 53 53 50 47

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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: Ships 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.

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).

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.

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<0.05). ↑
  2. Oil/bulk/ore carrier (OBO), see Appendix B. ↑
  3. The majority of vessels classified under “unknown tonnage” were vessels known to be 15 gross tons or less. ↑
  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: 2011-01-05
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