Crew fall overboard from rescue boat
Roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island
Swartz Bay, North Saanich, British Columbia
Roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island
Swartz Bay, North Saanich
British Columbia
31 August 2018
The occurrence
On , 2 crew members from the roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island fell from the vessel’s No. 1 rescue boat into the water below while participating in emergency drills at Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal in North Saanich, British Columbia. Vessel crew retrieved the 2 crew members from the water, and local emergency health services brought them to the hospital. One crew member was treated for minor injuries, the other was uninjured, and both were released later that day. The rescue boat sustained minor damage to its bottom hull.
Investigation information
M18P0257
Crew fall overboard from rescue boat
Roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island
Swartz Bay, North Saanich, British Columbia
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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.