Transportation Safety Board Issues Four Recommendations Following Final Report on Fatal Sinking of the Tugboat Ingenika

After two years of investigation, the Transportation Safety Board has released their final report into the fatal sinking of the tugboat Ingenika.

On the morning of February 11th, 2021, the Ingenika would sink near the Gardner Canal amid extreme winds and stormy waters.

It had departed Kitimat with a barge full of industrial equipment for Rio Tinto the night before, despite safety concerns issued by crew members.

Captain Troy Pearson had initially refused to leave port due to the conditions, but was later convinced by management.

Pearson and fellow crew member Charley Cragg, who was on his first shift, would pass away on the tugboat that morning.

According to the TSB’s report, inadequate risk management, emergency preparedness, and regulatory oversight were key factors in the incident.

Transport Canada does not currently certify or require regular inspections for tugs weighing less than 15 tonnes.

As a result, there are no records of the 50 year-old vessel ever being inspected, resulting in it being ill-equipped to handle the adverse conditions.

Immersion suits and other life-saving equipment were also poorly maintained, and workers were not always adequately trained to use them.

At the time of the incident, the tug was operating under a waiver exempting them from having a licensed pilot on board.

Issued by the Pacific Pilotage Authority, the waiver requires the operator and vessel to meet certain requirements, which the Ingenika did not.

Four recommendations aimed at enhancing safety on tugs weighing 15 tonnes or less are put forward in the report.

Transport Canada is being called on to expand their surveillance program, and to require operators to conduct regular risk assessments.

Meanwhile, the Pacific Pilotage Authority is being asked to varify eligibility requirements before issuing waivers, and implement a process to varify on-going compliance.

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach is demanding the Liberal Government take immediate action to enact the recommendations.

He was joined by union reps and the families of Cragg and Pearson in Victoria following the TSB’s announcement to hold officials to the fire.

Last month, the boat’s operator, Wainwright Marine Services was hit with 8 charges under the Workers’ Compensation Act relating to the incident.

Those charges, relating to failures in training, supervision, and planning, could result in a fine of up to $777,000 and 6 months in jail for Director James Bates.

You can view the TSB’s full report at this link.