This investigation has been completed. The report was released on 2 August 2018.
Capsizing and sinking with loss of life
Fishing vessel Miss Cory
Strait of Georgia, British Columbia
The occurrence
On 06 March 2017 at approximately 1545 Pacific Standard Time, the fishing vessel Miss Cory, while seining for herring with 5 people on board, took on water, capsized, and sank in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia. As the Miss Cory capsized, 4 people transferred to the fishing vessel Proud Venture, whose crew was helping to harvest the fish. One person who was in the engine room at the time of the capsizing was subsequently reported missing. Minor pollution was reported.
Media materials
News release
Inadequate stability information led to the March 2017 capsizing and sinking of the fishing vessel Miss Cory in British Columbia
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team to Comox, British Columbia, following the capsizing of a fishing vessel
Richmond, British Columbia, 07 March 2017 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators to Comox, British Columbia, to investigate the capsizing and sinking of the fishing vessel Miss Cory. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M17P0052
Capsizing and sinking with loss of life
Fishing vessel Miss Cory
Strait of Georgia, British Columbia
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.