The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 8 July 2020.
Bottom Contact
Bulk carrier Kaministiqua
Kahnawake, Québec
Bulk carrier Kaministiqua
Kahnawake, Québec
The occurrence
On , the upbound bulk carrier Kaministiqua was transiting in the South Shore Canal of the St. Lawrence Seaway, off Kahnawake, Quebec. At the canal curve, the Kaministiqua met the downbound bulk carrier Algoma Discovery. While manoeuvering, the Kaministiqua’s stern came out of the canal’s navigable limits, resulting in a bottom contact.
The vessel sustained damage. No injuries or pollution were reported.
Media materials
News release
Investigation report: November 2019 bottom contact of a bulk carrier in Kahnawake, Quebec
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team following an incident in Beauharnois, Quebec
Québec, Quebec, 27 November 2019 – The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following an incident where the bulk carrier Kaministiqua made bottom contact in the St. Lawrence River near Beauharnois, Quebec. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
Investigation information
M19C0387
Bottom Contact
Bulk carrier Kaministiqua
Kahnawake, Québec
Investigator-in-charge
Yevgen Lezhankin joined the TSB as an investigator with the Central region of the Marine branch in 2018. Yevgen holds a Master Mariner certificate and has worked at sea for 22 years, navigating internationally and in Eastern Canada. Before joining the TSB, Yevgen was working as a Transport Canada marine safety inspector in Port-Cartier and Quebec City. Yevgen graduated from Odessa State Maritime Academy and has a bachelor’s degree in navigation.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 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.