This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 08 December 2017.
Sinking and subsequent loss of life
Small open fishing vessel Pop's Pride
Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador
The occurrence
On 06 September 2016, the fishing vessel Pop’s Pride, with four people on board, was reported overdue after it did not return to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, from the fishing grounds off Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador. Several vessels participated in a search where two people were recovered deceased. The submerged vessel was recovered the following day. Two people were not recovered and are presumed drowned.
Media materials
News release
Operating in poor weather conditions led to the 2016 fatal sinking of fishing vessel Pop's Pride off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, following the sinking of a fishing boat
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 7 September 2016 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, where the sinking of a fishing boat led to the death of two fishermen. Two other fishermen are also reported missing. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M16A0327
Sinking and subsequent loss of life
Small open fishing vessel Pop's Pride
Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador
Investigator-in-charge
Shannon Pittman has been employed as an investigator with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 2014. Prior to joining TSB, Mr. Pittman spent 20 years with the Canadian Coast Guard operating on Canada’s Atlantic coast and throughout the Arctic on search and rescue, icebreaking, buoy tending, and science research vessels. Mr. Pittman holds a Master Mariner certificate as well as a Bachelor of Technology–Nautical Science from the Canadian Coast Guard College/University College of Cape Breton in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.