The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 22 June 2022.
Sinking and loss of life
Unregistered fishing vessel known as Island Lady
Labrador Sea, Newfoundland and Labrador
The occurrence
In the morning of , the fishing vessel Island Lady departed for the fishing grounds with 2 people on board. In the early evening, other harvesters were unable to contact the Island Lady. A local search began, joined shortly afterwards by Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) of Labrador and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) resources.
After 48 hours of searching, the occurrence was turned over to the RCMP as a missing persons case. The search continued for nearly 2 weeks with assistance from the province, harvesters, and the Canadian Coast Guard. The wreckage and missing fish harvesters were not found.
Media materials
News releases
Investigation report: Fatal sinking of the unregistered fishing vessel Island Lady in September 2021
Read the news release
Investigation information
M21A0315
Sinking and loss of life
Unregistered fishing vessel known as Island Lady
Labrador Sea, Newfoundland and Labrador
Investigator-in-charge
Glenn Budden has been a Senior Marine Investigator at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada since 2008.
Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Budden owned and operated a commercial fishing business. He has 35 years’ experience in the fishing industry, operating, managing and advising on several types of fishing vessels and fisheries on both coasts. In his later years, in the fishing industry, he facilitated the first industry led stability education program (Fishsafe) to fishermen in British Columbia.
Mr. Budden holds a Fishing Masters II certificate, and his last vessel was the seiner ‘Ocean Venture’.
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.