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Statistical summary: Marine transportation occurrences in 2018

Table of contents

This document is a summary of selected 2018 marine transportation safety data.

The TSB gathers and uses this data during the course of its investigations to analyze safety deficiencies and identify risks in the Canadian 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 2018 data were collected according to the reporting requirements described in the TSB Regulations in force during that calendar year.

The statistics presented here reflect the TSB MARSIS database at 15 February 2019. 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 2018, 282 marine accidentsFootnote 1 were reported to the TSB, up from the 2017 total of 279, but below the 10-year (2008–2017) average of 307 (Figure 1). In 2018, and over the past 10 years, the proportion of shipping accidents (vs. accidents aboard ship) has remained constant, at 83%.

There were 233 shipping accidents in 2018, unchanged from the 2017 total of 233 and down 9% from the 2008–2017 average of 255.  The majority of shipping accidents involved fishing vessels (28%), followed by solid cargo vessels (18%).

Figure 1. Accidents aboard ship and shipping accidents, 2008 to 2018
Accidents aboard ship and shipping accidents, 2008 to 2018
Figure 1. Data table
Accidents aboard ship and shipping accidents, 2008 to 2018
Year Shipping accidents  Accidents aboard ship
2008 313 69
2009 301 57
2010 273 63
2011 254 41
2012 216 52
2013 238 61
2014 249 52
2015 213 35
2016 264 43
2017 233 46
2018 233 49

In 2018, there were 49 accidents aboard ship, up from 46 in 2017 but down from the 2008–2017 average of 52. The majority of accidents aboard ship occurred on fishing vessels (38%) and cargo vessels (34%) .

Casualties (Tables 6 and 7)

Marine fatalities totalled 20 in 2018: 14 were the result of 8 shipping accidents, while the remaining 6 fatalities resulted from 6 accidents aboard ship (Figure 2). This total is up from the 11 fatalities reported in 2017, and above the annual average of 16 in 2008–2017. All 14 of the shipping accident fatalities (and all 8 fatal shipping accidents) involved Canadian-flag fishing vessels, and 4 of the 6 accident aboard ship fatalities occurred aboard fishing vessels. The total of 18 fishing vessel fatalities in 2018 was nearly double the annual average of 9.7 in 2008–2017.Footnote 2 Two accident aboard ship fatalities occurred aboard cargo vessels.

Overall, although the number of fishing vessels involved in accidents was lower than the previous year, 12 of the 14 fatal marine accidents (8 shipping accidents and 4 accidents aboard ship) and 18 of the 20 marine fatalities were related to the commercial fishing industry. Clearly, more needs to be done to improve safety in this industry. That is why commercial fishing safety will remain on the TSB Watchlist of key safety issues until more positive change is achieved.

Serious injuries in 2018 totalled 50, up from 47 in 2017 and unchanged from the annual average of 50 in 2008–2017. Forty-five of the 50 serious injuries (90%) resulted from accidents aboard ship.

Figure 2. Marine fatalities and serious injuries, 2008 to 2018
Marine fatalities and serious injuries, 2008 to 2018
Figure 2. Data table
Marine fatalities and serious injuries, 2008 to 2018
Year Fatalities  Injuries
2008 30 60
2009 15 54
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 20 50

Shipping accidents

Type of accident (Table 1)

As illustrated in Figure 3, the most frequent types of shipping accidents in 2018 were collision (35%), grounding (25%), fire/explosion (15%), and sinking (12%). The total number of collisions (82) was 2% more than the prior 10-year average of 81, and the number of groundings (58) was 20% below the 10-year average of 73. The number of sinking accidents (27) was 38% above the 10-year average of 20.

Figure 3. Shipping accidents by accident type, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Shipping accidents by accident type, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Figure 3. Data table
Shipping accidents by accident type, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Accident type  2008-2017 average 2018
Capsize 7 10
Collision 81 82
Fire/Explosion 42 35
Grounding 73 58
Sank 20 27
Unfit 32 21
Other 2 0

Type of vessel (Table 1)

Seventy-six fishing vessels (28% of all vessels involved in shipping accidents) were involved in shipping accidents down from 88 in 2017 and from the 2008–2017 average of 99 (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Shipping accidents by vessel type, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Shipping accidents by vessel type, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Figure 4. Data table
Shipping accidents by vessel type, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Type of vessel 2008-2017 average 2018
Barge 18 29
Cargo - liquid 10 9
Cargo - solid 56 47
Ferry 20 10
Fishing 99 76
Passenger 15 14
Service ship 31 27
Tug 24 25
Other 18 31

Geographical region (Table 2)

In 2018, 43% of shipping accidents occurred in the Pacific region, 27% in the Central region, 23% in the Atlantic region, and the remaining 6% of shipping accidents took place in foreign waters.Footnote 3 In the Pacific region in 2018, shipping accidents were 3% above the 2008–2017 average, in the Central region shipping accidents were 18% below the 2008–2017 average, and in the Atlantic region shipping accidents were 25% below the 2008–2017 average (Figure 5).

Thirty-six fishing vessels were involved in shipping accidents in the Atlantic region, which is below the 2008–2017 average of 52 fishing vessels. Thirty fishing vessels were involved in shipping accidents in the Pacific region, below the 2008–2017 average of 38 fishing vessels (Table 2).

Figure 5. Shipping accidents by geographical region, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Shipping accidents by geographical region, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Figure 5. Data table
Shipping accidents by geographical region, 2008–2017 average and 2018
Region  2008-2017 average 2018
Pacific Region 98 101
Central Region 77 63
Atlantic Region 72 54
Foreign waters 8 15

Vessel flag (Tables 1, 3, and 4)

In 2018, 85% of the 268 vessels involved in shipping accidents reported to the TSB were Canadian-flag vessels. Of these, 51% were commercial non-fishing vessels and 35% were fishing vessels; the remaining 14% 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 (grt) (excluding passenger vessels and cruise ships) was 43 353 commercial movements in 2018, which is 47% above the 2008–2017 average.Footnote 4 This yields a rate of 2.0 shipping accidents per 1 000 commercial movements in 2018, lower than the prior 10-year average of 2.8.

Kendall's tau-b (τb) correlation coefficient is a nonparametric measure of the strength and direction of association that exists between two variables. Kendall's τb was calculated on the series of occurrence rate values by year from 2008 to 2018. There was a strong, negative correlation that indicates a downward trend in occurrence rate per 1 000 vessel movements over the period (τb = −0.7091, p = 0.0024). Sen's  estimate of slope, the amount of downward rate change per year, was −0.196 occurrences per 1 000 Canadian-flag commercial vessel movements per year (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Shipping accident rates for Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels, 2008 to 2018
Shipping accident rates for Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels, 2008 to 2018
Figure 6. Data table
Shipping accident rates for Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels, 2008 to 2018
Year Commercial accident rate Sen's estimate of slope
2008 3.8 3.7
2009 3.8 3.5
2010 3.3 3.3
2011 2.9 3.1
2012 2.4 2.9
2013 2.5 2.7
2014 3.7 2.5
2015 2.1 2.3
2016 2.3 2.1
2017 1.9 1.9
2018 2.0 1.7

According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), there were an estimated 12 865 active fishing vessels in Canada in 2018. The shipping accident rate for Canadian fishing vessels (Figure 7) decreased from 6.1 shipping accidents per 1 000 active fishing vessels in 2017 to 5.4 in 2018, which is 19% below the prior 10-year average. There has been a strong downward trend in the Canadian fishing vessel shipping accident rate over the last 11 years (τb = −.60, p = .0102), despite persistently high numbers of fatalities in the fishing industry (18 in 2018 compared to the prior 10-year average of 9.7).Footnote 5

Figure 7. Shipping accident rates for Canadian-flag fishing vessels, 2008 to 2018
Shipping accident rates for Canadian-flag fishing vessels, 2008 to 2018
Figure 7. Data table
Shipping accident rates for Canadian-flag fishing vessels, 2008 to 2018
Year Fishing vessel accident rate Sen's estimate of slope
2008 8.1 7.1
2009 6.4 7.0
2010 6.7 6.8
2011 5.9 6.6
2012 5.2 6.4
2013 6.1 6.3
2014 6.4 6.1
2015 5.7 5.9
2016 6.2 5.8
2017 5.7 5.6
2018 5.1 5.4

For Canadian-flag fishing vessels, groundings (48%), collisions (17%), and sinkings (13%) were the most frequently reported shipping accident types in 2018. Canadian-flag commercial non-fishing vessels were most often involved in collisions (49%), groundings (16%), or fire/explosion accidents (14%).

In 2018, 41 foreign-flag vessels were involved in shipping accidents in Canadian waters, 31 of which were commercial non-fishing vessels. According to information provided by Transport Canada, marine activity for foreign commercial non-fishing vessels was 27 787 commercial movements in 2018, above the 2008–2017 average of 23 929. This yields an accident rate of 1.0 commercial foreign-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents per 1 000 commercial movements, below the 10-year average of 1.5.

Vessels lost (Tables 1 and 5)

In 2018, 15 vessels were reported lost, up from 12 in 2017, but down from the 2008–2017 average of 22. Twelve of the 15 vessels lost in 2018 were fishing vessels. Eight of the 15 vessels lost were less than 15 grt. During the past 10 years, fishing vessels under 60 grt have accounted for more than 60% of Canadian vessels lost (Tables 1 and 5).

Incidents

Overview of incidents (Tables 1 and 2)

In 2018, 937 marine incidents were reported to the TSB, up from a total of 885 in 2017, and above the annual 10-year (2008–2017) average of 509.Footnote 6

In 2018, incidents in the Atlantic region represented 42% of all marine incidents, followed by 30% in the Central region, and 27% in the Pacific region. The remaining 1% of reported incidents took place in foreign waters.

The majority (78%) of reportable incidents involved the total failure of any machinery or technical system (Figure 8).Footnote 7 The Atlantic region saw the largest proportion of these incidents (45%), while the Pacific region had the greatest proportion of incidents involving risk of collision (45%) (data not shown). The type of vessel most often involved in total failure of any machinery or technical systems incidents in 2018 were fishing vessels (55%) and solid cargo vessels (21%) (data not shown).

Figure 8. Marine incidents by type, 2018
Marine incidents by type, 2018
Figure 8. Data table
Marine incidents by type, 2018
Year Number Percentage
Bottom contact 34 4%
Cargo shift/Cargo loss 7 1%
Person overboard 12 1%
Risk of collision (near collision) 68 7%
Risk of sinking 34 4%
Total failure of any machinery or technical system 730 78%
Other incident types 52 6%

Data tables

Table 1. Marine occurrences (types, vessels and losses involved), 2008 to 2018
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Accidents 382 358 336 295 268 299 301 248 307 279 282
Shipping accidents by type 313 301 273 254 216 238 249 213 264 233 233
Capsize 15 9 8 2 6 8 3 10 7 5 10
Collision 95 81 64 87 78 79 88 57 89 89 82
Fire/Explosion 62 50 53 50 34 31 29 33 44 33 35
Grounding 73 110 102 73 69 62 61 59 65 52 58
Sank 31 20 20 10 10 14 26 16 26 22 27
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
Unfit for purpose
35 29 24 28 16 43 41 36 32 31 21
Other shipping accident types 2 2 2 4 3 1 1 2 1 1 0
Accidents aboard ship 69 57 63 41 52 61 52 35 43 46 49
Vessels involved in shipping accidents by type of vessel 361 337 296 294 241 276 281 240 310 268 268
Barge 22 28 17 20 6 19 12 10 24 20 29
Cargo - liquid 6 11 12 10 6 7 14 12 7 10 9
Cargo - solid 67 63 61 57 63 60 68 37 40 39 47
Ferry 29 26 19 23 18 13 20 18 19 12 10
Fishing 143 117 111 99 82 88 92 81 91 88 76
Passenger 11 17 14 16 15 15 13 17 16 15 14
Service ship 28 38 29 25 20 36 21 29 50 38 27
Tug 34 19 19 24 26 26 22 19 26 25 25
Other vessel types 21 18 14 20 5 12 19 17 37 21 31
Vessels involved in shipping accidents by vessel flag 361 337 296 294 241 276 281 240 310 268 268
Canadian non-fishing vessels 177 166 138 152 111 148 144 127 184 148 156
Canadian fishing vessels 142 114 109 95 78 86 92 80 90 84 71
Foreign vessels 42 57 49 47 52 42 45 33 36 36 41
Vessels lost by gross tonnage 32 26 27 22 23 20 20 23 17 12 15
1600 gross tons and over 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
150 to 1599 gross tons 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 0
60 to 149 gross tons 3 4 4 2 3 4 4 6 4 2 4
15 to 59 gross tons 14 6 10 9 8 6 4 6 2 2 2
Less than 15 gross tons 10 7 8 10 9 6 8 8 6 5 6
Unknown tonnage 3 6 5 1 2 3 3 1 4 3 2
Fatalities 30 15 18 16 14 18 12 19 7 11 20
Shipping accidents 21 7 11 3 5 10 4 13 6 4 14
Accidents aboard ship 9 8 7 13 9 8 8 6 1 7 6
Serious injuries 60 54 75 32 48 49 46 42 48 47 50
Shipping accidents 4 5 5 2 6 0 1 12 5 7 5
Accidents aboard ship 56 49 70 30 42 49 45 30 43 40 45
Occurrences with a dangerous good release* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 7 7 8
Reportable incidents by type 285 249 224 216 270 734 747 707 768 885 937
Bottom contact 23 14 13 14 21 19 24 36 24 42 34
Cargo shift/Cargo loss 6 6 3 2 5 2 1 4 4 6 7
Person overboard 9 7 9 4 5 10 7 13 10 10 12
Risk of collision (near collision) 25 28 33 38 37 63 35 31 45 52 68
Risk of sinking 46 33 24 24 25 26 0 10 20 15 34
Total failure of any machinery or technical system** 161 150 135 120 156 603 676 589 637 719 730
Other incident types 15 11 7 14 21 11 4 24 28 41 52

Data extracted 20 March 2019

In November 2013, the Transportation Safety Board developed and deployed a new Marine Database. The new database significantly improves the TSB’s ability to collect, categorize and present statistics. In accordance with these changes the 2014 statistical summary onward will be presented in a slightly different format.

New TSB regulations came into effect on 1 July 2014, changing some reporting requirements.

* Under new reporting requirements the release of dangerous goods has been harmonized with Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Detailed data was not collected prior to 1 July 2014.

** New regulations clarify the reporting requirements for a total failure of any machinery or technical system.

Table 2. Details of occurrences, losses and vessels involved by region (Pacific, Central, and Atlantic regions), 2008 to 2018
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Pacific region 285 249 224 216 270 734 747 707 768 885 937
Shipping accidents 103 106 87 88 76 88 95 90 138 111 101
Accidents aboard ship 14 22 15 11 18 21 23 13 19 8 11
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 124 120 95 103 87 108 108 106 164 130 119
Barge/Tug 39 26 20 25 18 29 23 23 39 34 37
Cargo / Tanker 11 13 5 5 12 8 15 6 14 9 8
Ferry/Passenger 16 15 8 13 10 10 10 15 17 12 13
Fishing 48 44 43 38 29 30 36 33 43 35 30
Other vessel types 10 22 19 22 18 31 24 29 51 40 31
Vessels lost 10 8 6 3 6 3 9 12 9 9 3
Fatalities 9 6 6 6 4 2 5 12 0 6 5
Reportable incidents 148 115 113 102 118 150 149 260 290 283 253
Central region                      
Shipping accidents 87 105 98 81 74 73 74 64 56 59 63
Accidents aboard ship 34 18 31 16 19 25 17 10 11 16 15
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 97 119 106 95 79 85 85 71 65 66 71
Barge/Tug 12 17 11 12 9 14 8 6 9 7 8
Cargo / Tanker 50 52 55 46 46 40 55 35 24 26 35
Ferry/Passenger 9 11 18 14 14 13 14 13 9 11 10
Fishing 9 17 10 11 6 7 3 6 5 14 8
Other vessel types 17 22 12 12 4 11 5 11 18 8 10
Vessels lost 1 5 2 2 1 4 2 2 1 0 2
Fatalities 4 3 3 1 3 5 2 2 0 3 1
Reportable incidents 85 82 67 74 107 149 137 116 126 203 279
Atlantic region                      
Shipping accidents 114 86 79 78 56 62 72 54 63 57 54
Accidents aboard ship 17 16 13 14 14 12 12 12 13 18 21
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 128 94 85 88 64 67 80 57 72 64 62
Barge/Tug 1 4 4 6 5 2 3 0 1 1 5
Cargo / Tanker 5 6 5 11 3 6 6 2 3 11 4
Ferry/Passenger 15 17 7 12 9 4 9 7 9 4 1
Fishing 86 56 58 50 45 49 52 42 43 38 36
Other vessel types 21 11 11 9 2 6 10 6 16 10 16
Vessels lost 21 12 18 17 15 12 9 9 7 3 10
Fatalities 15 6 8 9 6 11 5 5 7 2 13
Reportable incidents 46 44 38 36 40 429 450 319 338 385 393
Foreign waters                      
Shipping accidents 9 4 9 7 10 15 8 5 7 6 15
Accidents aboard ship 4 1 4 0 1 3 0 0 0 4 2
Vessels involved in shipping accidents 12 4 10 8 11 16 8 6 9 8 16
Barge/Tug 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 4
Cargo / Tanker 7 3 8 5 8 13 6 6 6 3 9
Ferry/Passenger 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .
Fishing 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 1 2
Other vessel types 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 2 1 1
Vessels lost 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 .
Fatalities 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Reportable incidents 6 8 6 4 5 6 11 12 14 14 12

Data extracted 20 March 2019

In November 2013, the Transportation Safety Board developed and deployed a new Marine Database. The new database significantly improves the TSB’s ability to collect, categorize and present statistics. In accordance with these changes the 2014 statistical summary onward will be presented in a slightly different format.

New TSB regulations came into effect on 1 July 2014, changing some reporting requirements.

Table 3. Canadian-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents by vessel category and type of accident (including commercial accident rates), 2008 to 2018
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Canadian-flag vessels involved 319 280 247 246 189 231 225 192 242 210 195
Commercial vessels 134 113 99 109 88 102 107 83 100 90 99
Capsize 6 4 5 1 2 0 0 3 2 1 1
Collision 61 41 35 55 45 46 53 34 48 44 49
Fire/Explosion 21 12 13 18 9 12 12 11 14 7 14
Grounding 25 34 31 17 22 28 16 14 21 19 16
Sank 7 12 5 3 1 3 6 10 5 5 5
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
Unfit for purpose
14 10 10 15 9 13 20 11 10 14 14
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Commercial movements (a) 29 717 24 871 25 539 28 269 28 800 29 000 23 185 30 956 35 478 38 366 43 353
Commercial accident rate (b) 3.8 3.8 3.3 2.9 2.4 2.5 3.7 2.1 2.3 1.9 2.0
Fishing vessels 142 114 109 95 78 86 91 78 88 80 69
Capsize 5 3 1 1 3 6 1 5 3 2 5
Collision 29 14 10 16 12 12 15 4 12 19 12
Fire/Explosion 34 27 28 24 19 12 9 14 16 15 6
Grounding 37 56 50 43 33 30 32 33 31 27 33
Sank 18 6 14 6 9 9 19 9 16 8 9
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
Unfit for purpose
17 7 4 1 0 16 14 11 9 8 4
Other shipping accident types 2 1 2 4 2 1 1 2 1 1 0
Active fishing vessels (c) 16 472 16 514 15 800 15 050 14 167 13 719 13 623 13 242 13 475 13 131 12 865
Fishing vessel accident rate (d) 8.1 6.4 6.7 5.9 5.2 6.1 6.4 5.7 6.2 5.7 5.1
Other vessels 43 53 39 42 23 43 27 31 54 40 27
Capsize 3 2 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1
Collision 20 25 20 24 10 24 14 15 25 24 14
Fire/Explosion 5 7 6 6 4 3 7 3 14 4 10
Grounding 7 15 8 7 5 10 3 8 7 2 1
Sank 6 2 1 1 0 2 1 0 3 6 1
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
Unfit for purpose
2 1 2 4 3 3 2 4 4 3 0
Other shipping accident types 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
fishing vessel fatalities 14 9 11 11 7 15 8 11 8 3 18

Data extracted 20 March 2019

  1. Based on data from Transport Canada. 2012 to 2013 data are estimated. Transport Canada has updated their methodology for counting commercial movements for 2014 to 2018. Movements for 2014 are likely under-reported as a result, inflating the 2014 accident rate. Also, implementation of GPS tracking technology has enabled progressively higher-resolution capture of within-harbour movements, which accounts for most of the 2016 through 2018 activity increase.
  2. The 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.
  3. Commercial fishing vessels landing a catch (Source: DFO). 2015 to 2017 data are preliminary and subject to change.
  4. The fishing vessel accident rate is the number of shipping accidents involving Canadian-flag commercial fishing vessels of 15 gross tons or more per 1 000 active fishing vessels.
Table 4. Foreign-flag vessels involved in shipping accidents by vessel category and type of accident
(including commercial accident rates), 2008 to 2018
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Foreign-flag vessels involved 42 57 49 47 52 42 45 33 36 36 41
Commercial vessels 35 51 43 40 46 38 41 30 32 31 31
Capsize 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision 22 26 17 23 28 19 29 11 17 19 23
Fire/Explosion 3 3 5 3 3 5 0 5 0 3 3
Grounding 7 8 13 6 10 2 7 4 8 3 2
Sank 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
Unfit for purpose
2 14 8 8 5 11 5 10 6 6 3
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Commercial movements (a) 28 015 23 720 26 029 25 669 26 300 26 600 17 635 18 940 21 657 24 728 27 787
Commercial accident rate (b) 1.1 1.9 1.5 1.4 1.6 1.4 2.4 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.0
Fishing vessels 1 3 2 4 4 2 0 1 1 4 5
Capsize 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collision 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 2 1
Fire/Explosion 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Grounding 0 3 2 3 1 0 0 1 1 1 2
Sank 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
Unfit for purpose
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other vessels 6 3 4 3 2 2 4 2 3 1 5
Capsize 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
Collision 5 2 3 3 1 2 1 1 2 0 2
Fire/Explosion 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Grounding 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 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 0 0 1
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Data extracted 20 March 2019

  1. Based on data from Transport Canada. 2012 and 2013 data are estimated. Transport Canada has updated their methodology for counting commercial movements for 2014 to 2018. Movements for 2014 are likely under-reported as a result, inflating the 2014 accident rate. Also, implementation of GPS tracking technology has enabled progressively higher-resolution capture of within-harbour movements, which accounts for most of the 2016 through 2018 activity increase.
  2. The 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 foreign vessel movements.
Table 5. Vessels lost by vessel category and age, 2008 to 2018
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
All vessels 32 26 27 22 23 20 20 23 17 12 15
0-4 years 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
5-9 years 5 2 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
10-14 years 1 4 1 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 2
15-19 years 2 0 2 3 5 2 2 1 3 1 1
20-24 years 6 4 6 4 3 2 1 1 0 0 1
25-29 years 2 2 2 4 3 2 5 5 1 0 3
30+ years 9 7 4 7 5 5 4 10 5 6 3
Unknown 7 7 6 2 3 5 8 3 8 5 4
Commercial vessels 4 9 1 1 1 1 2 8 4 2 3
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 0 0 1
10-14 years 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15-19 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
20-24 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
25-29 years 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
30+ years 3 4 0 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 1
Unknown 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
Fishing vessels 25 14 23 21 22 17 17 15 12 7 12
0-4 years 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
5-9 years 5 2 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
10-14 years 1 3 1 1 2 3 0 2 0 0 2
15-19 years 2 0 2 3 5 2 2 1 2 1 1
20-24 years 4 4 6 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 1
25-29 years 1 2 1 4 3 2 4 3 1 0 3
30+ years 6 3 4 6 4 2 3 6 3 5 2
Unknown 6 0 3 2 3 5 7 2 6 1 3
Other vessels 3 3 3 0 0 2 1 0 1 3 0
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 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 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-29 years 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30+ years 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown 1 3 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 0

Data extracted 20 March 2019

Table 6. Accidents, fatalities and serious injuries by accidents type, 2008 to 2018
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Shipping accidents with fatalities or serious injuries 14 9 7 4 7 4 4 7 5 8 12
Capsize 8 1 1 0 3 2 0 2 1 1 5
Collision 0 4 3 1 1 0 1 2 2 4 1
Fire/Explosion 1 0 0 2 3 1 0 1 1 1 1
Grounding 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 3
Sank 4 3 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 2 2
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
Unfit for purpose
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other shipping accident types 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shipping accidents fatalities (a) 21 7 11 3 5 10 4 13 6 4 14
Capsize 15 2 4 0 3 6 0 9 2 1 7
Collision 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 2
Fire/Explosion 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Grounding 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 1
Sank 6 4 1 0 0 0 4 3 4 3 4
Sustains damage render unseaworthy/
Unfit for purpose
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other shipping accident types 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shipping accidents serious injuries 4 5 5 2 6 0 1 12 5 7 5
Capsize 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1
Collision 0 5 5 1 0 0 1 9 4 6 0
Fire/Explosion 2 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 1 1 2
Grounding 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
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 0 0 0
Other shipping accident types 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Accidents aboard ship 69 57 63 41 52 61 52 35 43 46 49
Accidents aboard ship fatalities (a) 9 8 7 13 9 8 8 6 1 7 6
Boarding, being on board,
falling overboard from the ship
3 6 4 13 3 3 5 6 0 5 5
In contact with any part of the ship or its contents 6 2 3 0 6 5 3 0 1 2 1
Accidents aboard ship serious injuries 56 49 70 30 42 49 45 30 43 40 45
Boarding, being on board,
falling overboard from the ship
5 4 2 3 2 6 10 5 4 6 6
In contact with any part of the ship or its contents 51 45 68 27 40 43 35 25 39 34 39

Data extracted 20 March 2019

  1. Fatalities includes missing persons.
Table 7. Vessels, fatalities and serious injuries by vessel type, 2008 to 2018
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Vessels involved in shipping accidents with fatalities or serious injuries 14 9 7 4 7 4 4 7 5 8 12
Barge/Tug 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1
Cargo 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1
Ferry/Passenger 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 0
Fishing 6 5 4 3 4 4 3 3 2 3 9
Other 3 3 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 1
Shipping accident fatalities (a) 21 7 11 3 5 10 4 13 6 4 14
Barge/Tug 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cargo 7 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Ferry/Passenger 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 6 0 2 0
Fishing 10 7 7 2 2 10 2 6 6 1 14
Other 4 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 0
Shipping accident serious injuries 4 5 5 2 6 0 1 12 5 7 5
Barge/Tug 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Cargo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2
Ferry/Passenger 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 2 0
Fishing 0 0 1 1 3 0 1 1 0 3 1
Other 0 4 4 1 2 0 0 9 1 1 1
Vessels involved in accidents aboard ship 71 58 64 41 53 61 52 35 43 46 50
Barge/Tug 9 6 5 4 1 3 4 0 4 2 3
Cargo 22 16 22 13 23 17 21 5 12 18 17
Ferry/Passenger 8 8 8 6 3 7 5 8 5 5 8
Fishing 17 20 17 17 21 25 18 21 18 15 19
Other 15 8 12 1 5 9 4 1 4 6 3
Accident aboard ship fatalities (a) 9 8 7 13 9 8 8 6 1 7 6
Barge/Tug 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Cargo 3 0 1 1 2 2 1 0 0 2 2
Ferry/Passenger 0 1 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
Fishing 4 4 4 10 6 5 6 5 0 2 4
Other 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
Accident aboard ship serious injuries 56 49 70 30 42 49 42 30 42 40 45
Barge/Tug 6 4 5 3 0 2 4 0 4 3 2
Cargo 18 16 36 12 21 12 18 5 12 15 15
Ferry/Passenger 8 6 5 6 2 7 5 7 5 4 10
Fishing 12 16 13 8 15 19 12 17 18 13 15
Other 12 7 11 1 4 9 3 1 3 5 3

Data extracted 20 March 2019

  1. Fatalities includes 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

Marine accident

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

Accident aboard ship

Shipping accident

Marine incident

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
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.