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Accidents

Samantha J (2014)

On 2014-10-06, Samantha J girded and sank while moving a barge in Northumberland Channel, British Columbia. The TSB records the event in Appendix B of report M18P0230 as occurrence M14P0265. NanaimoNewsNOW reported that the tug was towing a wood-chip barge toward Harmac Pacific when it capsized and that the Port had reported a release of 1,800 litres of diesel. The Port of Nanaimo later reported that a two-day salvage operation began on 26 February 2019, the tug was refloated, the Canadian Coast Guard confirmed that it carried no hydrocarbons, and it was returned to its owners. The harbour master told NanaimoNewsNOW that the tug was raised on 1 March and cleared the harbour on 2 March. Global Diving & Salvage, the recovery contractor, reported recurring slicks and said the Coast Guard ordered removal because of pollution risk and the anchorage location. The contractor says the tug was defueled, contaminants were removed, and the Coast Guard authorized its return to the owner. [4] These later records show the vessel was recovered rather than permanently lost. They do not establish the exact causal sequence beyond the TSB occurrence summary. Casualty counts remain unresolved.

Classification

  • Incident Type: Sinking
  • Severity: High (pollution-response work was required after recurring slicks were observed.)
  • Vessel Type: Tug

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameSamantha J
Vessel TypeTug
Flag State
IMO Number
Gross Tonnage
LOA (m)

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date2014-10-06
LocationNorthumberland Channel, British Columbia
RegionCanada
Coordinates
Fatalities
Injuries
Missing

Key facts

  • TSB Appendix B identifies occurrence M14P0265 on 2014-10-06.
  • Samantha J was moving a barge in Northumberland Channel, British Columbia.
  • The tug girded and sank.
  • The Port of Nanaimo reported a two-day salvage in February 2019; the tug was refloated and returned to its owner after Coast Guard inspection. [2]
  • The Port reported no hydrocarbons remained aboard after recovery. [2]

Narrative

On 2014-10-06, Samantha J girded and sank while moving a barge in Northumberland Channel, British Columbia. The TSB records the event in Appendix B of report M18P0230 as occurrence M14P0265. NanaimoNewsNOW reported that the tug was towing a wood-chip barge toward Harmac Pacific when it capsized and that the Port had reported a release of 1,800 litres of diesel. The Port of Nanaimo later reported that a two-day salvage operation began on 26 February 2019, the tug was refloated, the Canadian Coast Guard confirmed that it carried no hydrocarbons, and it was returned to its owners. The harbour master told NanaimoNewsNOW that the tug was raised on 1 March and cleared the harbour on 2 March. Global Diving & Salvage, the recovery contractor, reported recurring slicks and said the Coast Guard ordered removal because of pollution risk and the anchorage location. The contractor says the tug was defueled, contaminants were removed, and the Coast Guard authorized its return to the owner. [4] These later records show the vessel was recovered rather than permanently lost. They do not establish the exact causal sequence beyond the TSB occurrence summary. Casualty counts remain unresolved.

Sequence of events

Date/timeEvent
2014-10-06Samantha J girded and sank while moving a barge.
2019-02-26The Port of Nanaimo said a two-day salvage operation began.
2019-03-01The tug was reportedly raised, according to the harbour master quoted by NanaimoNewsNOW.
2019-03-02The recovered vessel reportedly cleared the harbour.

Investigation

TSB report M18P0230 provides a historical Appendix B entry for M14P0265, not a dedicated investigation report for Samantha J. No standalone report has been identified. The causal findings concerning George H. Ledcor do not establish the causes of this occurrence.

References

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