Skip to main content

Accidents

Manson (2004)

On the morning of 6 November 2004, the tug Manson was sailing from New Westminster on the Fraser River to Beale Cove on Texada Island with the crane barge McKenzie and deck barge M.B.D. 32 in tow. The two barges were connected to each other by short synthetic-rope couplers. After the tug and tow entered the Strait of Georgia, Marine Communications and Traffic Services observed the radar echo separate. The couplers had parted and M.B.D. 32 was adrift. Manson altered course to recover it, but the tug subsequently lost steering and stopped between the two barges while the crew investigated the failure.

Classification

  • Incident Type: Capsize girding
  • Severity: High
  • Vessel Type: Tug

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameManson
Vessel TypeTug
Flag StateCanada [CA]
IMO Number
Official Number344666
Gross Tonnage44.29
LOA (m)13.56
Breadth (m)5.79
Power (kW)550
Year Built1970
Owner/OperatorEmpire Tug Boats/Discovery Towing Ltd.

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date2004-11-06
LocationStrait of Georgia, British Columbia
RegionCanada
Coordinates
Fatalities1
Injuries
Missing1
Vessels Lost1
Direct DamageManson sank and was declared a total loss.

Key facts

  • Manson was sailing with a two-person crew and towing the crane barge McKenzie and deck barge M.B.D. 32.
  • The couplers connecting M.B.D. 32 to McKenzie parted during the passage.
  • Manson experienced steering difficulties while attempting to recover the adrift barge, then capsized and sank.
  • The deckhand was recovered three days later and died from hypothermia; the master remained missing in the TSB report.
  • Both barges were recovered, but Manson was not located and was declared a total loss.

Narrative

On the morning of 6 November 2004, the tug Manson was sailing from New Westminster on the Fraser River to Beale Cove on Texada Island with the crane barge McKenzie and deck barge M.B.D. 32 in tow. The two barges were connected to each other by short synthetic-rope couplers. After the tug and tow entered the Strait of Georgia, Marine Communications and Traffic Services observed the radar echo separate. The couplers had parted and M.B.D. 32 was adrift. Manson altered course to recover it, but the tug subsequently lost steering and stopped between the two barges while the crew investigated the failure.

The TSB report states that the exact final sequence could not be determined because both crew members were lost. Its analysis found that wind and sea conditions could have caused McKenzie to drift faster than Manson, making the tow wire taut and dragging the tug sideways until it was placed in irons. The tug could then heel rapidly, downflood through open hatchways or the deckhouse door, and lose reserve buoyancy. The report also found that only two people were aboard even though the inspection certificate stipulated a crew of four, and that the short synthetic couplers were inappropriate for the exposed passage. The cause of the steering-gear failure could not be established.

The emergency position-indicating radio beacon deployed after the capsize. Search and rescue resources located an inflated liferaft, but it was empty. The deckhand's body was recovered three days later and the report records hypothermia as the cause of death. The master remained missing. Both barges were recovered, Manson was not found despite an extensive remotely operated vehicle search, and a small oil slick was observed for several days.

The report records no discernible damage to either barge and no indication that either barge struck Manson. It states that the tug was declared a total loss.

Sequence of events

Date/timeEvent
2004-11-05 17:00 PSTManson departed New Westminster with McKenzie and M.B.D. 32 in tow.
2004-11-06 02:18 PSTMCTS radar showed the tug-and-tow echo separate; M.B.D. 32 was later identified as the separated target.
2004-11-06 02:36 PSTManson confirmed that the couplers had parted and M.B.D. 32 was adrift.
2004-11-06 02:43 PSTManson altered course toward M.B.D. 32 while towing McKenzie.
2004-11-06 03:02 PSTManson reported loss of steering and was drifting.
2004-11-06 03:05 PSTThe tug was between the barges and assistance was requested while the steering problem was investigated.
2004-11-06 03:22 PSTJRCC received a signal from Manson's EPIRB; search and rescue resources were tasked.

Contributing factors

FactorEvidence statusDescription
Under-crewingConfirmed findingThe inspection certificate stipulated four crew members, but two were aboard; the TSB considered it likely that this allowed the developing danger to go unnoticed.
Towing arrangementConfirmed findingShort synthetic-rope couplers were used for an exposed passage instead of a longer all-wire arrangement, and the couplers parted.
Steering-gear failureConfirmed findingSteering failed at a critical time; the TSB could not establish why.

Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigated the occurrence in report M04W0235. It found that under-crewing, the inappropriate towing arrangement, and steering-gear failure contributed to the casualty. The report could not determine the precise final sequence because both crew members were lost. It also recorded that MCTS monitoring helped recover the drifting barge and led to timely search and rescue action.

References

Similar incidents