Marine transportation safety investigation M24C0217

Table of contents

    Grounding
    Cargo vessel Heemskerkgracht
    Kahnawake, Quebec

    The occurrence

    On 22 August 2024, the cargo vessel Heemskerkgracht reported that it had run aground in the South Shore Canal off Kahnawake, Quebec, following a loss of propulsion. The vessel anchored while waiting for help and was subsequently refloated and towed to Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Quebec. The TSB is investigating.

    Media materials

    Deployment notice

    TSB is deploying a team of investigators to the port of Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Quebec, following the grounding of the cargo vessel Heemskerkgracht

    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    M24C0217

    Grounding
    Cargo vessel Heemskerkgracht
    Kahnawake, Quebec

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Yevgen Lezhankin

    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.

    Photos

    The cargo vessel Heemskerkgracht upon arrival at the port of Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Quebec, on 22 August 2024 (Source: TSB)

      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

    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.