This is the summary of a class 5 occurrence to which TSB investigators deployed. The investigation is now closed.
Collision and sinking
Forever Chasin' Tail
Joel '98
Beach Point, Prince Edward Island
The occurrence
On 09 June 2018, the 13 m fishing vessel Forever Chasin' Tail, with 3 people on board, departed Beach Point, Prince Edward Island, to recover lobster traps approximately 14 nautical miles (nm) to the east. Later that morning, the 11 m fishing vessel Joel '98, with 5 people on board, also departed Beach Point to recover lobster traps approximately 6 nm to the south east. Weather conditions were favourable with clear skies, winds from the south-southwest at 5-10 knots, seas of less than 0.3 m and unlimited visibility.
After hauling and setting all of their traps, the master of the Forever Chasin' Tail set the automatic pilot to steer a westerly course toward the entrance to Beach Point Harbour. Meanwhile, the crew on the Joel '98 continued to haul and reset lobster traps in a generally northeast direction. They had just recovered the marker buoy on their next set of lobster traps on the starboard side and all attention was focused on this side of the vessel. As the buoy line was being recovered, the master of the Joel '98 saw the Forever Chasin' Tail heading directly toward the port side of the Joel '98. At about the same time, the crew on board the Forever Chasin' Tail saw the Joel '98 directly in front of them. With no time for either vessel to manoeuvre, the Forever Chasin' Tail collided with the Joel '98 4.8 nm east-northeast of Murray Head, PEI.
The Forever Chasin' Tail came to rest on top of the aft deck of the Joel '98. As the Joel '98 began to sink by the stern, 2 of its crew members and 1 passenger climbed on board the other vessel. The remaining crew member and passenger from the Joel '98 were found floating at the surface on the port side of the Forever Chasin' Tail as it floated free of the sinking vessel. The remaining crew member was pulled on board the Forever Chasin' Tail and the passenger was pulled on board another fishing vessel that had arrived on scene to assist. Both were taken to Beach Point where they were pronounced dead by first responders. The Joel '98 remained partly submerged for several hours and later sank while under tow by another fishing vessel. The Forever Chasin' Tail was undamaged.
Media materials
Deployment notice
TSB has deployed a team of investigators to Murray Harbour, P.E.I., following a collision between two fishing vessels
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators to Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, following a collision between two fishing vessels, the Forever Chasin Tail, and the Joel ’98, leading to the loss of life of two fishermen. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M18A0185
Collision and sinking
Forever Chasin' Tail
Joel '98
Beach Point, Prince Edward Island
Photos
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Class of investigation
This is a class 5 investigation. Class 5 investigations are limited to collecting data, which are then stored in the modal database. If TSB investigators deployed to the occurrence site, a short description of the occurrence is posted to the TSB website once the investigation has been completed. These investigations are generally completed within 90 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.