Marine transportation safety investigation M24A0269

Table of contents

    Engine room fire
    Fishing vessel Elite Navigator
    Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, 125 NM ENE

    The occurrence

    On 18 July 2024, the fishing vessel Elite Navigator, with a crew of 7, was reported overdue 125 nautical miles east-northeast of Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.

    The night before being reported overdue, the vessel sustained a fire in the engine room. The crew abandoned the vessel in a life raft and were subsequently rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard on 20 July. They were then transported to Valleyfield, Newfoundland and Labrador.

    The vessel was reported sunk. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    TSB is deploying a team of investigators to New-Wes-Valley, Newfoundland, and Labrador following a fire onboard the fishing vessel Elite Navigator

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M24A0269

    Engine room fire
    Fishing vessel Elite Navigator
    Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, 125 NM ENE

    Investigator-in-charge

    Murray Hawe joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in March 2022, as a Regional Senior Investigator - Marine in the Atlantic Region. Murray began his marine career sailing on commercial fishing vessels. Following postsecondary graduation, he worked in naval architecture consulting and marine surveying before joining Transport Canada as a Senior Marine Safety Inspector in 2006. From 2014 to 2022, he worked as Regional Manager of the Thunder Bay Transport Canada Centre.

    Murray holds a Diploma of Technology in Naval Architecture, a Bachelor of Technology and a Master of Maritime Management, all from the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland.

    Photos

    The Cessna 337H after its collision with terrain, approximately 35 nautical miles west-southwest of Deer Lake Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador (Source: TSB) The Cessna 337H after its collision with terrain, approximately 35 nautical miles west-southwest of Deer Lake Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador (Source: TSB)

      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

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.