Determine whether the occurrence is reportable
If you wish to report—in complete confidence—an act or condition in the Canadian transportation system that is potentially unsafe but is not a reportable occurrence as defined below, use SECURITAS.
If the occurrence involved a pleasure craft, report it to the local police.
Definition of a reportable occurrence
- A reportable marine occurrence is one that results directly from the operation of a ship, other than a pleasure craft, where a person is killed or sustains a serious injury as a result of
- boarding, being on board or falling overboard from the ship, or
- coming into direct contact with any part of the ship or its contents;
- a person falls overboard from the ship;
- a crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the ship is unable to perform their duties as a result of a physical incapacitation which poses a threat to the safety of persons, property or the environment;
- the ship
- sinks, founders or capsizes,
- is involved in a collision or a risk of a collision,
- sustains a fire or an explosion,
- goes aground,
- makes unforeseen contact with the bottom without going aground,
- sustains damage that affects its seaworthiness or renders it unfit for its purpose,
- is anchored, grounded or beached to avoid an occurrence,
- is missing or abandoned,
- fouls a utility cable or pipe, or an underwater pipeline,
- sustains a total failure of
- the navigation equipment if the failure poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment,
- the main or auxiliary machinery, or
- the propulsion, steering, or deck machinery if the failure poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment;
- all or part of the ship's cargo shifts or falls overboard; or
- there is an accidental release on board or from the ship which results in any of the events listed in subsection 8.4(2) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations
Source: Transportation Safety Board Regulations Section 3(1)
Who needs to report
You need to report the occurrence if you are the operator of the ship , whether or not you are the owner, the master, the ship's pilot, a crew member, or the harbour master, and have direct knowledge of the occurrence.
See Transportation Safety Board Regulations subsection 3(1)
Report the occurrence as soon as possible by the quickest means available
Call direct 819-994-3741 or toll-free 1-800-387-3557 to provide your initial report.
A standby investigator is ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
See Transportation Safety Board Regulations subsection 3(3)
Submit a full report within 30 days of the occurrence
Complete and submit the form below.
Report of a marine occurrence / Hazardous occurrence report
PDF [553 KB]
See Transportation Safety Board Regulations subsection 3(3)
Personal information collection statement
All personal information created, held or collected by the TSB is protected under the Privacy Act. This means that you will be informed of the purpose for which it is being collected and how to exercise your right of access to that information. You will be asked for your consent where appropriate.
Public communications
The personal information you include in an inquiry may be used to prepare a reply. The personal information is collected pursuant to the Privacy Act. Such information may be used for statistical, evaluation and reporting purposes. The information is included in the personal information bank PSU 914 - Public communications. The information may be shared with programs and activities of the TSB should your inquiry pertain to a specific program or activity of the agency. In such cases, the information is included in the personal information bank of the program or activity.
The transmission of this information is not secure so sensitive personal information, such as your Social Insurance Number, should not be included in your message.
If after reading this statement, you prefer not to submit your inquiry via the Internet, you may use one of the following methods:
- Telephone (toll-free in Canada):
- 1-800-387-3557
- Telephone (outside Canada):
- 819-994-3741
- Mail:
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Place du Centre, 4th floor
Gatineau QC K1A 1K8
Privacy inquiry
Any questions, comments, concerns or complaints regarding the administration of the Privacy Act and privacy policies may be directed to the departmental Privacy Coordinator by:
- Email:
- atip.aiprp@bst-tsb.gc.ca
- Telephone:
- 819-994-8003
- Mail:
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Place du Centre, 4th floor
Gatineau QC K1A 1K8
If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concern, you may wish to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner by e-mail at
or by telephone at 1-800-282-1376.