Marine transportation occurrences in 2020

The TSB gathers and uses transportation occurrence data during the course of its investigations to analyze safety deficiencies and identify risks in the Canadian marine transportation system.

It should be noted that certain characteristics of the data constrain statistical analysis and identification of emerging trends. These include the small totals of accidents and incidents, the large variability in the data from year to year, and changes to regulations and definitions. The reader is cautioned to keep these limitations in mind when viewing this summary to avoid drawing conclusions that cannot be supported by statistical analysis.

The 2020 data were collected according to the reporting requirements described in the Transportation Safety Board Regulations in force during that calendar year.

The statistics presented here reflect the TSB Marine Safety Information System (MARSIS) database at 25 February 2021. Since the occurrence data are constantly being updated in the live database, the statistics may change slightly over time.

Also, as many occurrences are not formally investigated, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified.

Accidents

Overview of accidents and casualties

In 2020, 262 marine accidentsFootnote 1 were reported to the TSB, down from the 2019 total of 267 and below the 10-year (2010–2019) average of 289 (Figure 1). In 2020 the proportion of shipping accidents (as opposed to accidents aboard ship) was 84% of marine accidents, comparable to the previous 10-year average of 82%.

There were 219 shipping accidents in 2020, up from the 2019 total of 207 but down 8% from the 2010–2019 average of 238. The majority of shipping accidents involved fishing vessels (33%), followed by solid cargo vessels (26%).

Figure 1. Shipping accidents and accidents aboard ship, 2010–2020
Image
Shipping accidents and accidents aboard ship, 2010–2020
Figure 1. Data table
Shipping accidents and accidents aboard ship, 2010–2020
Year Shipping accidents  Accidents aboard ship
2010 273 63
2011 254 41
2012 216 52
2013 238 61
2014 249 52
2015 214 35
2016 264 43
2017 233 46
2018 232 57
2019 207 60
2020 219 43

In 2020, there were 43 accidents aboard ship, down from 60 in 2019 and down from the 2010–2019 average of 51. The majority of accidents aboard ship occurred on cargo vessels (35%) and fishing vessels (35%).

Casualties (tables 1, 6 and 7)

In 2020, 18 marine fatalities were reported, up from the 17 fatalities reported in 2019, and above the annual average of 15.4 in the 2010–2019 time period. Of the 18 fatalities in 2020, 12 were the result of 4 shipping accidents, while the remaining 6 fatalities resulted from 5 accidents aboard ship (Figure 2).

Of note, all of the 12 shipping accident fatalities in 2020 involved commercial fishing vessels, and 4 of the 6 fatalities that ensued from accidents aboard ship occurred aboard commercial fishing vessels. These data indicate that more needs to be done to improve safety in the commercial fishing industry.

Serious injuries in 2020 totalled 41, down from 53 in 2019 and down from the annual average of 50 from 2010 to 2019. Thirty-nine of the 41 serious injuries (95%) resulted from accidents aboard ship, and the remaining 2 resulted from shipping accidents.

Figure 2. Marine fatalities and serious injuries, 2010–2020
Image
Marine fatalities and serious injuries, 2010–2020
Figure 2. Data table
Marine fatalities and serious injuries, 2010–2020
Year Fatalities  Serious injuries
2010 18 75
2011 16 32
2012 14 48
2013 18 49
2014 12 46
2015 19 42
2016 7 48
2017 11 47
2018 22 61
2019 17 53
2020 18 41

Shipping accidents

Type of accident (Table 1)

As illustrated in Figure 3, the most frequent types of shipping accidents in 2020 were collision (43%), grounding (21%), and fire/explosion (16%). The total number of collisions (95) was 21% more than the 10-year (2010–2019) average of 79, the number of groundings (47) was 28% below the 10-year average of 65, and the number of fire/explosion accidents (36) was 4% below the 10-year average of 37.

Figure 3. Shipping accidents, by accident type, in 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Image
Shipping accidents, by accident type, in 2020 compared  with the 2010–2019 average
Figure 3. Data table
Shipping accidents, by accident type, in 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Accident type  2010-2019 average 2020
Capsize 7 2
Collision 79 95
Fire/Explosion 37 36
Grounding 65 47
Sank 19 20
Unfit 30 18
Other 2 1

Type of vessel (Table 1)

Seventy-five fishing vessels were involved in shipping accidents, up from 59 in 2019, but down from the 2010–2019 average of 87 (Figure 4). Fishing vessels represented almost one-third (30%) of all vessels involved in shipping accidents.

Figure 4. Shipping accidents, by vessel type, in 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Image
Shipping accidents, by vessel type, in 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Figure 4. Data table
Shipping accidents, by vessel type, in 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Type of vessel 2010-2019 average 2020
Barge 18 25
Cargo - liquid 9 6
Cargo - solid 53 62
Ferry 17 15
Fishing 87 75
Passenger 16 12
Service ship 30 20
Tug 22 21
Other 20 18

Geographical region (Table 2)

In 2020, 39% of shipping accidents occurred in the Pacific region, 32% in the Central region, and 24% in the Atlantic region. The remaining 5% of shipping accidents were in foreign waters.Footnote 2 In the Pacific region in 2020, shipping accidents were 11% below the 2010–2019 average, in the Central region shipping accidents were unchanged from the 2010–2019 average, and in the Atlantic region shipping accidents were 16% below the 2010–2019 average (Figure 5).

Thirty-eight fishing vessels were involved in shipping accidents in the Atlantic region, which is below the 2010–2019 average of 45 fishing vessels. Twenty-three fishing vessels were involved in shipping accidents in the Pacific region, below the 2010–2019 average of 34 (Table 2).

Figure 5. Shipping accidents, by geographical region, in 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Image
Shipping accidents, by geographical region, in 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Figure 5. Data table
Shipping accidents, by geographical region, in 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Region 2010-2019 average 2020
Pacific Region 95 85
Central Region 71 71
Atlantic Region 63 53
Foreign waters 9 10

Vessel flag (tables 1, 3, and 4)

In 2020, 83% of the 254 vessels involved in shipping accidents reported to the TSB were Canadian-flag vessels. Of these Canadian-flag vessels, 51% were commercial non-fishing vessels and 37% were fishing vessels; the remaining 12% were non-commercial vessels, pleasure craft or service vessels.

According to information provided by Transport Canada, marine activity for Canadian commercial non-fishing vessels over 15 gross tons (GT) (excluding passenger vessels and cruise ships) was 11 071 thousand commercial vessel-km in 2020, which is 17% above the 2015–2019 average.Footnote 3 This yields a rate of 5.6 shipping accidents per million commercial vessel-km in 2020, lower than the prior 5-year average of 5.7. (Note that a 6-year series is too short to test for trends.)

Figure 6. Shipping accident rate for Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels, 2010–2020
Image
Shipping accident rate for Canadian-flag  commercial non-fishing vessels, 2010–2020
Figure 6. Data table
Shipping accident rates for Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels
Year Trip-based commercial accident rate (2010-2018) Distance-based commercial accident rate (2015-2020)
2010 2.2  
2011 1.8  
2012 1.5
2013 2.0  
2014 2.6  
2015 1.3 4.2
2016 1.4 5.8
2017 1.6 6.5
2018 1.6 7.0
2019   4.9
2020   5.6

According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), there were an estimated 11 908 active fishing vessels in Canada in 2020.Footnote 4 The shipping accident rate for Canadian-flag fishing vessels (Figure 7) was 6.2 shipping accidents per 1000 active fishing vessels in 2020, above the rate of 4.7 in 2019, and above the 2010–2019 average of 6.0.

Figure 7. Shipping accident rate, for Canadian-flag fishing vessels, 2010–2020
Image
Shipping accident rate, for Canadian-flag  fishing vessels, 2010–2020
Figure 7. Data table
Shipping accident rate, for Canadian-flag fishing vessels
Year Fishing vessel accident rate
2010 7.5
2011 6.3
2012 5.3
2013 6.1
2014 6.4
2015 5.9
2016 6.6
2017 6.1
2018 5.0
2019 4.7
2020 6.2

For Canadian-flag fishing vessels, the most frequently reported shipping accident types in 2020 were groundings (36%), fire/explosions (26%), collisions (21%), and sinkings (13%). Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels were most often involved in collisions (62%) or groundings (14%).

In 2020, 42 foreign-flag vessels were involved in shipping accidents in Canadian waters, 39 of which were commercial non-fishing vessels. According to information provided by Transport Canada,Footnote 5 marine activity for foreign commercial non-fishing vessels over 15 GT was 19 570 thousand commercial vessel-km in 2020, above the 2015–2019 average of 18 781 thousand commercial vessel-km. This yields an accident rate of 2.0 shipping accidents involving commercial foreign-flag vessels over 15 GT per million commercial vessel-km, above the 2015–2019 average of 1.7.

Vessels lost (tables 1 and 5)

In 2020, 13 vessels were reported lost, up from 8 in 2019 but down from the 2010–2019 average of 19. Eleven of the 13 vessels lost in 2020 were fishing vessels. Eight of the 13 vessels lost were less than 15 GT (including 1 with unknown tonnage). In the past 10 years (2011 to 2020), fishing vessels under 60 GT have accounted for 62% of Canadian vessels lost (tables 1 and 5).

Incidents

Overview of incidents

In 2020, 925 marine incidents were reported to the TSB, down from the total of 948 in 2019, but above the annual 10-year (2010–2019) average of 643.Footnote 6 Incidents in the Atlantic region (372) represented 40% of all marine incidents, followed by 31% (284) in the Central region, and 28% (257) in the Pacific region. The remaining 1% (12) of reported incidents occurred in foreign waters (Table 2).

The majority (82%) of reportable incidents involved the total failure of any machinery or technical system (Figure 8).Footnote 7 The largest proportion of these incidents (44%) occurred in the Atlantic region, while the greatest proportion of incidents involving risk of collision (50%) occurred in the Central region (data not shown). The types of vessel most often involved in total failure of any machinery or technical systems incidents in 2020 were fishing vessels (52%) and solid cargo vessels (25%) (data not shown).

Figure 8. Marine incidents, by type, 2020
Image
Marine incidents, by type, 2020
Figure 8. Data table
Marine incidents, by type, 2020
Marine incident type Number  Percentage
Bottom contact 15 2%
Cargo shift / Cargo loss 3 0.3%
Person overboard 5 1%
Risk of collision (near collision) 66 7%
Risk of sinking 31 3%
Total failure of any machinery or technical system 756 82%
Other incident types 49 5%

Data tables

Table 1. Marine transportation occurrences, vessels, losses, and casualties, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Accidents1 336 295 268 299 301 249 307 279 289 267 262
Shipping accidents by type 273 254 216 238 249 214 264 233 232 207 219
Capsize 8 2 6 8 3 10 7 5 10 8 2
Collision 64 87 78 79 88 57 89 89 82 72 95
Fire/Explosion 53 50 34 31 29 33 44 33 35 32 36
Grounding 102 73 69 62 61 59 65 52 58 51 47
Sank 20 10 10 14 26 17 26 22 26 18 20
Sustains damage rendering vessel unseaworthy/
unfit for purpose
24 28 16 43 41 36 32 31 21 26 18
Other shipping accident types 2 4 3 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 1
Accidents aboard ship 63 41 52 61 52 35 43 46 57 60 43
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 295 294 241 275 281 241 310 268 267 230 254
Barge 17 20 6 19 12 10 24 20 29 18 25
Cargo - liquid 12 10 6 7 14 12 7 10 9 7 6
Cargo - solid 61 57 63 60 68 37 40 39 47 57 62
Ferry 19 23 18 13 20 18 20 12 10 17 15
Fishing 111 99 82 88 92 82 91 88 74 59 75
Passenger 14 16 15 15 13 17 15 15 15 21 12
Service ship 29 25 20 36 21 29 50 38 27 21 20
Tug 18 24 26 25 22 19 26 25 25 7 21
Other vessel types 14 20 5 12 19 17 37 21 31 23 18
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 295 294 241 275 281 241 310 268 267 230 254
Canadian non-fishing vessels 137 152 111 147 144 127 184 148 157 124 140
Canadian fishing vessels 109 95 78 86 92 81 90 84 69 57 72
Foreign vessels 49 47 52 42 45 33 36 36 41 49 42
Vessels lost 27 22 23 20 20 24 17 12 14 8 13
1600 GT and over 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
150 to 1599 GT 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0
60 to 149 GT 4 2 3 4 4 6 4 2 4 1 2
15 to 59 GT 10 9 8 6 4 6 2 2 2 1 3
Less than 15 GT 8 10 9 6 8 9 6 5 6 6 7
Unknown tonnage 5 1 2 3 3 1 4 3 1 0 1
Persons fatally injured 18 16 14 18 12 19 7 11 22 17 18
Shipping accidents 11 3 5 10 4 13 6 4 14 4 12
Accidents aboard ship 7 13 9 8 8 6 1 7 8 13 6
Persons seriously injured 75 32 48 49 46 42 48 47 61 53 41
Shipping accidents 5 2 6 0 1 12 5 7 8 10 2
Accidents aboard ship 70 30 42 49 45 30 43 40 53 43 39
Occurrences with a dangerous good release1 0 0 0 0 0 5 7 7 8 2 4
Reportable incidents 224 216 270 734 747 708 768 885 931 948 925
Bottom contact 13 14 21 19 24 36 24 42 35 33 15
Cargo shift/Cargo loss 3 2 5 2 1 4 4 6 7 3 3
Person overboard 9 4 5 10 7 13 10 10 11 14 5
Risk of collision (near collision) 33 38 37 63 35 31 45 52 67 54 66
Risk of sinking 24 24 25 26 0 10 20 15 34 13 31
Total failure of any machinery or technical system2 135 120 156 603 676 590 637 719 732 799 756
Other incident types 7 14 21 11 4 24 28 41 45 32 49

Data extracted 25 February 2021

1 The reporting requirement in the 2014 TSB Regulations concerning the release of dangerous goods has been harmonized with Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. The TSB did not collect detailed data on the release of dangerous goods prior to 1 July 2014.
2 In 2013, the TSB clarified to industry the reporting requirements for a total failure of any machinery or technical system, which led to an increase in the number of reported incidents of this type. These requirements are documented in the 2014 TSB Regulations.

Table 2. Marine transportation occurrences, vessels, losses and casualties, by region,1,2 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Pacific region                      
Shipping accidents 87 88 76 88 95 90 138 111 101 79 85
Accidents aboard ship 15 11 18 21 23 13 19 8 12 15 16
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 94 103 87 107 108 106 164 130 119 90 101
Barge/Tug 19 25 18 28 23 23 39 34 37 16 30
Cargo/Tanker 5 5 12 8 15 6 14 9 8 13 16
Ferry/Passenger 8 13 10 10 10 15 17 12 13 16 10
Fishing 43 38 29 30 36 33 43 35 30 23 23
Other vessel types 19 22 18 31 24 29 51 40 31 22 22
Vessels lost 6 3 6 3 9 12 9 9 3 2 4
Fatalities 6 6 4 2 5 12 0 6 7 8 4
Reportable incidents 113 102 118 150 149 260 290 283 253 234 257
Central region                      
Shipping accidents 98 81 74 73 74 64 56 59 63 68 71
Accidents aboard ship 31 16 19 25 17 10 11 16 21 19 17
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 106 95 79 85 85 71 65 66 71 75 82
Barge/Tug 11 12 9 14 8 6 9 7 8 7 10
Cargo/Tanker 55 46 46 40 55 35 24 26 35 38 40
Ferry/Passenger 18 14 14 13 14 13 9 11 10 17 10
Fishing 10 11 6 7 3 6 5 14 8 1 14
Other vessel types 12 12 4 11 5 11 18 8 10 12 8
Vessels lost 2 2 1 4 2 2 1 0 2 0 1
Fatalities 3 1 3 5 2 2 0 3 1 3 1
Reportable incidents 67 74 107 149 137 116 126 203 274 284 284
Atlantic region                      
Shipping accidents 79 78 56 62 72 55 63 57 53 53 53
Accidents aboard ship 13 14 14 12 12 12 13 18 22 22 9
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 85 88 64 67 80 58 72 64 61 58 59
Barge/Tug 4 6 5 2 3 0 1 1 5 2 3
Cargo/Tanker 5 11 3 6 6 2 3 11 4 6 4
Ferry/Passenger 7 12 9 4 9 7 9 4 2 5 7
Fishing 58 50 45 49 52 43 43 38 34 35 38
Other vessel types 11 9 2 6 10 6 16 10 16 10 7
Vessels lost 18 17 15 12 9 10 7 3 9 6 8
Fatalities 8 9 6 11 5 5 7 2 13 6 13
Reportable incidents 38 36 40 429 450 320 338 385 392 412 372
Foreign waters                      
Shipping accidents 9 7 10 15 8 5 7 6 15 7 10
Accidents aboard ship 4 0 1 3 0 0 0 4 2 4 1
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 10 8 11 16 8 6 9 8 16 7 12
Barge/Tug 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 0 3
Cargo/Tanker 8 5 8 13 6 6 6 3 9 7 8
Ferry/Passenger 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fishing 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 0
Other vessel types 1 2 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 1
Vessels lost 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fatalities 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Reportable incidents 6 4 5 6 11 12 14 14 12 18 12

Data extracted 25 February 2021

1 See the map of the regions in the Definitions section of the statistical summary.
2 In 2013, the TSB clarified to industry the reporting requirements for a total failure of any machinery or technical system, which led to an increase in the number of reported incidents of this type. These requirements are documented in the 2014 TSB Regulations.

Table 3. Canadian-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents, by category of vessel and type of accident, and commercial accident rates, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Canadian-flag vessels involved 246 246 189 230 225 193 242 210 194 163 197
Commercial vessels 98 109 88 101 107 83 100 90 100 80 101
Capsize 5 1 2 0 0 3 2 1 2 1 1
Collision 34 55 45 45 53 34 48 44 49 41 63
Fire/Explosion 13 18 9 12 12 11 14 7 14 13 7
Grounding 31 17 22 28 16 14 21 19 16 13 14
Sank 5 3 1 3 6 10 5 5 5 3 6
Sustains damage rendering vessel unseaworthy/unfit for purpose 10 15 9 13 20 11 10 14 14 9 10
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Commercial movements1 25539 28269 28800 29000 23185 30956 35478 38366 43353 n/a n/a
Commercial accident rate2 2.2 1.8 1.5 2.0 2.6 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.6 n/a n/a
Commercial vessel-km (thousands)3 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 9260 8559 9391 9834 10070 11071
Commercial accidents per million vessel-km4 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 4.2 5.8 6.5 7.0 4.9 5.6
Fishing vessels 109 95 78 86 91 79 88 80 67 57 72
Capsize 1 1 3 6 1 5 3 2 4 1 1
Collision 10 16 12 12 15 4 12 19 12 7 15
Fire/Explosion 28 24 19 12 9 14 16 15 6 10 19
Grounding 50 43 33 30 32 33 31 27 33 26 26
Sank 14 6 9 9 19 10 16 8 8 7 9
Sustains damage rendering vessel unseaworthy/unfit for purpose 4 1 0 16 14 11 9 8 4 6 1
Other shipping accident types 2 4 2 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 1
Active fishing vessels5 14167 14217 13871 13719 13623 13242 13311 13138 13124 12682 11908
Fishing vessel accident rate6 7.5 6.3 5.3 6.1 6.4 5.9 6.6 6.1 5.0 4.7 6.2
Other vessels 39 42 23 43 27 31 54 40 27 26 24
Capsize 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0
Collision 20 24 10 24 14 15 25 24 14 12 8
Fire/Explosion 6 6 4 3 7 3 14 4 10 2 9
Grounding 8 7 5 10 3 8 7 2 1 3 4
Sank 1 1 0 2 1 0 3 6 1 5 2
Sustains damage rendering vessel unseaworthy/unfit for purpose 2 4 3 3 2 4 4 3 0 3 1
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Data extracted 25 February 2021

1 A movement is a vessel's travel segment between ports with at least one port being a domestic port. (Vessel movement data source: Transport Canada email communication 3 April 2019).
2 This commercial accident rate is the number of shipping accidents involving Canadian-flag commercial vessels of 15 gross tons or more (excluding passenger vessels and fishing vessels) per 1 000 vessel movements (to 2019).
3 Based on data from Transport Canada, which has updated its methodology for measuring commercial activity. Beginning from 2015, TC combines terrestrial automatic identification system (AIS) data from the Canadian Coast Guard and satellite AIS data from the Government of Canada Satellite AIS provider to calculate a distance-based metric of Canadian-flag commercial marine activity in Canadian waters (Source: TC email communication 15 April 2021). Vessel movements are no longer captured.
4 This commercial accident rate is the number of shipping accidents involving Canadian-flag commercial vessels of 15 gross tonnage or more (excluding passenger vessels and fishing vessels) per million vessel-km.
5 Commercial fishing vessels landing at least one catch in that calendar year (Source: Department of Fisheries and Oceans email communication 6 April 2021).
6 The fishing vessel accident rate is the number of shipping accidents involving Canadian-flag commercial fishing vessels per 1 000 active fishing vessels.

Table 4. Foreign-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents, by category of vessel and type of accident, and commercial accident rates, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Foreign-flag vessels involved 49 47 52 42 45 33 36 36 41 49 42
Commercial vessels 43 40 46 38 41 30 32 31 31 45 39
Capsize 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision 17 23 28 19 29 11 17 19 23 25 30
Fire/Explosion 5 3 3 5 0 5 0 3 3 6 0
Grounding 13 6 10 2 7 4 8 3 2 6 3
Sank 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
unfit for purpose
8 8 5 11 5 10 6 6 3 8 6
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Commercial movements1 26029 25669 26300 26600 17635 18940 21657 24728 27787 n/a n/a
Commercial accident rate2 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.3 2.4 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.1 n/a n/a
Commercial vessel-km (thousands)3 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17947 16127 19170 20447 20214 19570
Commercial accidents per million vessel-kms4 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1.4 1.7 1.8 1.5 2.0 2.0
Fishing vessels 2 4 4 2 0 1 1 4 5 2 3
Capsize 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 2
Fire/Explosion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
Grounding 2 3 1 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 1
Sank 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
unfit for purpose
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other shipping accident types 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other vessels 4 3 2 2 4 2 3 1 5 2 0
Capsize 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
Collision 3 3 1 2 1 1 2 0 2 2 0
Fire/Explosion 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Grounding 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0
Sank 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
unfit for purpose
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Data extracted 25 February 2021

1 A movement is a vessel's travel segment between ports with at least one port being a domestic port. (Vessel movement data source: Transport Canada email communication 3 April 2019).
2 This commercial accident rate is the number of shipping accidents involving foreign-flag commercial vessels of 15 gross tons or more (excluding passenger vessels and fishing vessels) per 1 000 vessel movements (to 2019).
3 Based on data from Transport Canada, which has updated its methodology for measuring commercial activity. Beginning from 2015, TC combines terrestrial automatic identification system (AIS) data from the Canadian Coast Guard and satellite AIS data from the Government of Canada Satellite AIS provider to calculate a distance-based metric of foreign-flag commercial marine activity in Canadian waters (Source: TC email communication 15 April 2021). Vessel movements are no longer captured.
4 This commercial accident rate is the number of shipping accidents involving foreign-flag commercial vessels of 15 gross tons or more (excluding passenger vessels and fishing vessels) per million vessel-km.

Table 5. Vessels lost, by category and age of vessel, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Vessels lost 27 22 23 20 20 24 17 12 14 8 13
0-4 years 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
5-9 years 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
10-14 years 1 1 2 3 0 3 0 0 2 0 0
15-19 years 2 3 5 2 2 1 3 1 1 1 2
20-24 years 6 4 3 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 0
25-29 years 2 4 3 2 5 5 1 0 3 0 0
30+ years 4 7 5 5 4 10 5 6 3 1 5
Unknown 6 2 3 5 8 3 8 5 3 4 6
Commercial vessels 1 1 1 1 2 8 4 2 3 0 1
0-4 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5-9 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
10-14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15-19 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
20-24 years 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
25-29 years 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
30+ years 0 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 0 0
Unknown 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1
Fishing vessels 23 21 22 17 17 16 12 7 11 5 11
0-4 years 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
5-9 years 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10-14 years 1 1 2 3 0 3 0 0 2 0 0
15-19 years 2 3 5 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2
20-24 years 6 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 0
25-29 years 1 4 3 2 4 3 1 0 3 0 0
30+ years 4 6 4 2 3 6 3 5 2 0 5
Unknown 3 2 3 5 7 2 6 1 2 3 4
Other vessels 3 0 0 2 1 0 1 3 0 3 1
0-4 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
5-9 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10-14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15-19 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20-24 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-29 years 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30+ years 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Unknown 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 1 1
Data extracted 25 February 2021
Table 6. Accidents and persons fatally1 or seriously injured, by type of accident, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Shipping accidents with fatalities1 or serious injuries 7 4 7 4 4 7 5 8 12 7 6
Capsize 1 0 3 2 0 2 1 1 5 2 0
Collision 3 1 1 0 1 2 2 4 1 1 2
Fire/Explosion 0 2 3 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0
Grounding 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 3 1 1
Sank 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 2 2 2 2
Sustains damage rendering unseaworthy/
unfit for purpose
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other shipping accident types 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Persons fatally injured in shipping accidents 11 3 5 10 4 13 6 4 14 4 12
Capsize 4 0 3 6 0 9 2 1 7 3 0
Collision 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0
Fire/Explosion 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grounding 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Sank 1 0 0 0 4 3 4 3 4 1 7
Sustains damage rendering unseaworthy/
unfit for purpose
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other shipping accident types 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Persons seriously injured in shipping accidents 5 2 6 0 1 12 5 7 8 10 2
Capsize 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Collision 5 1 0 0 1 9 4 6 0 4 2
Fire/Explosion 0 1 3 0 0 1 1 1 5 1 0
Grounding 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 4 0
Sank 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Sustains damage rendering unseaworthy/
unfit for purpose
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Accidents aboard ship 63 41 52 61 52 35 43 46 57 60 43
Persons fatally injured in accidents aboard ship 7 13 9 8 8 6 1 7 8 13 6
Boarding, being on board,
falling overboard from the ship
4 13 3 3 5 6 0 5 5 12 6
In contact with any part of the ship or its contents 3 0 6 5 3 0 1 2 3 1 0
Persons seriously injured in accidents aboard ship 70 30 42 49 45 30 43 40 53 43 39
Boarding, being on board,
falling overboard from the ship
2 3 2 6 10 5 4 6 7 2 7
In contact with any part of the ship or its contents 68 27 40 43 35 25 39 34 46 41 32

Data extracted 25 February 2021

1 Fatalities include missing persons.

Table 7. Vessels involved in accidents with fatalities or serious injuries and persons fatally1 or seriously injured, by type of vessel, 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Vessels in shipping accidents with fatalities1 or
serious injuries
7 4 7 4 4 7 5 8 12 7 6
Barge/Tug 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Cargo/Tanker 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0
Ferry/Passenger 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 0 2
Fishing 4 3 4 4 3 3 2 3 8 2 4
Other 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 1 5 0
Persons fatally injured in shipping accidents 11 3 5 10 4 13 6 4 14 4 12
Barge/Tug 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cargo/Tanker 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ferry/Passenger 4 0 0 0 0 6 0 2 1 0 0
Fishing 7 2 2 10 2 6 6 1 13 0 12
Other 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 0
Persons seriously injured in shipping accidents 5 2 6 0 1 12 5 7 8 10 2
Barge/Tug 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Cargo/Tanker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 0
Ferry/Passenger 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 2 0 0 2
Fishing 1 1 3 0 1 1 0 3 1 2 0
Other 4 1 2 0 0 9 1 1 1 8 0
Vessels in accidents aboard ship with fatalities1 or serious injuries 64 41 53 61 52 35 43 46 58 60 43
Barge/Tug 5 4 1 3 4 0 4 2 3 5 3
Cargo/Tanker 22 13 23 17 21 5 12 18 22 23 15
Ferry/Passenger 8 6 3 7 5 8 5 5 8 7 3
Fishing 17 17 21 25 18 21 18 15 21 22 15
Other 12 1 5 9 4 1 4 6 4 3 7
Persons fatally injured in accidents aboard ship 7 13 9 8 8 6 1 7 8 12 6
Barge/Tug 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cargo/Tanker 1 1 2 2 1 0 0 2 2 2 0
Ferry/Passenger 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 2
Fishing 4 10 6 5 6 5 0 2 4 8 4
Other 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 0
Persons seriously injured in accidents aboard ship 70 30 42 49 42 30 42 40 53 43 39
Barge/Tug 5 3 0 2 4 0 4 3 2 4 2
Cargo/Tanker 36 12 21 12 18 5 12 15 21 15 16
Ferry/Passenger 5 6 2 7 5 7 5 4 10 6 1
Fishing 13 8 15 19 12 17 18 13 17 17 12
Other 11 1 4 9 3 1 3 5 3 1 8

Data extracted 25 February 2021

1 Fatalities include missing persons.

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 TSB Regulations.

Marine occurrence

  • any accident or incident associated with the operation of a ship and
  • any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described above.

Marine accident

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

Accident aboard ship

  • 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;

Shipping accident

  • the ship
    • sinks, founders or capsizes,
    • is involved in a collision (includes strikings and contacts)
    • sustains a fire or an explosion,
    • goes aground,
    • sustains damage that affects its seaworthiness or renders it unfit for its purpose,
    • is missing or abandoned

Marine incident

  • a person falls overboard from the ship, or
  • the ship
    • makes unforeseen contact with the bottom without going aground,
    • fouls a utility cable or pipe, or an underwater pipeline,
    • is involved in a risk of a collision,
    • 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
  • is anchored, grounded or beached to avoid an occurrence,
  • 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;
  • there is an accidental release on board or from the ship consisting of a quantity of dangerous goods or an emission of radiation that is greater than the quantity or emission levels specified in Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Serious injury

  1. a fracture of any bone, except simple fractures of fingers, toes or the nose,
  2. lacerations that cause severe hemorrhage or nerve, muscle or tendon damage,
  3. an injury to an internal organ,
  4. second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5% of the body surface,
  5. a verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation, or
  6. an injury that is likely to require hospitalization.

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, 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.

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.

Regional limits

Figure depicts TSB Marine regional limits
Image
Figure depicts TSB Marine regional limits

Pacific Region's area of responsibility consists of the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories south of the 70th parallel, as well as the waters adjacent to these provinces and territories.

Central Region's area of responsibility consists of the provinces of Ontario and Quebec (including the Magdalen Islands), the territory of Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories north of the 70th parallel, as well as James Bay, Hudson Bay, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the Great Lakes waterways up to the Canada–U.S. border.

Atlantic Region's area of responsibility consists of the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the waters adjacent to these provinces.