This is the summary of a class 5 occurrence to which TSB investigators deployed. The investigation is now closed.
Docking incident
Cable-laying vessel Cable Innovator
Ogden Point, Victoria, British Columbia
The occurrence
On , the cable-laying vessel Cable Innovator was backing into a berth at Ogden Point in Victoria, British Columbia, when the vessel made contact with the berth. At the time, the master had the con, with a pilot, chief officer, second officer, helmsman, and chief engineer assisting on the bridge.
Just before the vessel passed the breakwater, the vessel’s forward azimuth thruster failed. The master decided to continue the berthing operation using the other 3 thrusters. Without the forward azimuth thruster, the vessel could not be operated in “Heading” mode. As a result, the master was required to manually operate the controls to maintain the vessel’s heading.
During the final approach, when the vessel’s stern was approximately 8 m from the berth, the master operated the thrusters so as to swing the bow to starboard and bring the vessel parallel to the berth. However, the master operated the thrusters in the opposite direction, causing the bow to swing to port and the stern towards the berth. Upon observing this and after the pilot and chief officer had alerted the master to the situation, the master immediately reversed the direction of the thrusters. However, the vessel had gained enough momentum to cause the stern, which had a steep flare, to contact the berth. The berth sustained damage to the bull rails, security fencing, and gate. The vessel’s stern steel plating was punctured. There were no injuries.
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team to Victoria, British Columbia, following a docking incident
Richmond, British Columbia, 24 November 2018 — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has deployed a team of investigators to Victoria, British Columbia, where the vessel Cable Innovator struck a dock while berthing. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M18P0358
Docking incident
Cable-laying vessel Cable Innovator
Ogden Point, Victoria, British Columbia
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
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.