The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 8 March 2023.
Sinking and loss of life
Tug Ingenika and barge Miller 204
Gardner Canal, British Columbia
The occurrence
On , the tug Ingenika, with 3 crew members on board, was towing the loaded barge Miller 204 in the Gardner Canal when the tug sank approximately 16 nautical miles west‑southwest of Kemano Bay, British Columbia. The barge subsequently drifted and went aground about 2.5 nautical miles southwest from where the tug sank. The search and rescue operation located 1 surviving crew member on land and recovered the bodies of the 2 other crew members from the water. The barge was recovered; the tug was not found. At the time of the occurrence, the tug had 3500 L of diesel fuel in tanks on board.
Media materials
News releases
TSB issues four safety recommendations following investigation into 2021 sinking of the tug Ingenika
Read the news release
Speeches and presentations
Speaking Notes - M21P0030 (Ingenika)
Kathy Fox, TSB Chair
and
Clifford Harvey, Director, Investigations–Marine
Media advisories
TSB to issue recommendations following investigation into the 2021 fatal sinking of the tug Ingenika
Read the media advisory
Backgrounders
Investigation information
M21P0030
Sinking and loss of life
Tug Ingenika and barge Miller 204
Gardner Canal, British Columbia
Investigator-in-charge
Mohan Raman has been a senior investigator at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada since 2011.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Raman was a ship safety inspector for Transport Canada in British Columbia, performing onboard inspections.
Mr. Raman has 28 years’ sailing experience in the engineering discipline on board a variety of vessels, culminating in his appointment as Senior Chief Engineer and Project Manager with BC Ferries. Mr. Raman is a Certified First Class (Motor) engineer and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bombay University, India.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
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.