Classification
- Incident Type: Grounded; the TSB occurrence classification was striking and subsequent grounding.
- Severity: Low as the consequence classification, reflecting minor damage with no reported injuries or pollution.
- Investigation class: TSB Class 3 investigation.
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Claude A. Desgagnes |
| Vessel Type | General Cargo |
| Flag State | Barbados [BB] |
| IMO Number | 9488059 |
| Gross Tonnage | 9627 |
| LOA (m) | 138.5 |
| Year Built | 2011 |
| Registered owner | Transport Desgagnés Inc. |
| Manager | Clipper Projects Shipping Ltd. |
| Crew Size | 16 |
| Cargo | 10,700 metric tonnes of corn |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2013-11-06 |
| Strike time | 23:06:26 EST |
| Grounding time | 23:12 EST |
| Location | Upper approach wall of Iroquois Lock, St. Lawrence Seaway, near Iroquois, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 44.830861, -75.312600 |
| Region | Canada |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Missing | |
| Physical damage | Two aft-port-side indentations, buckled and holed side-shell plating above the main deck, and ten deformed internal frames |
| Direct Damage | |
| Economic Damage | |
| Environmental impact | No pollution reported |
| Operational consequence | Downbound Seaway traffic was closed for more than 15 hours for inspection |
Key facts
- Claude A. Desgagnes was downbound toward Iroquois Lock under the conduct of a marine pilot when the occurrence happened.
- The pilot proposed dredging the starboard anchor to slow the vessel and manoeuvre toward the upper approach wall; the master preferred reducing speed with the main engine.
- The master and pilot did not establish a shared understanding of the manoeuvre or clearly confirm a transfer of conduct, and the helmsman received conflicting orders.
- The vessel struck the upper approach wall at 23:06:26 EST, crossed the channel, and grounded at 23:12 EST.
- The TSB reported no injuries or pollution. The vessel sustained minor structural damage and the Seaway was closed to downbound traffic for more than 15 hours.
Narrative
On 6 November 2013, Claude A. Desgagnes was travelling downbound on the St. Lawrence Seaway toward Iroquois Lock with 16 crew members, a marine pilot, an officer of the watch, and a helmsman on the bridge. The general cargo vessel was carrying 10,700 metric tonnes of corn. Two other vessels were ahead in the lock sequence, and the pilot determined that the ship needed to maintain speed for steerage while also reducing its approach speed.
At 22:18, the pilot advised the officer of the watch that the starboard anchor might be used to slow the vessel and manoeuvre it toward the upper approach wall. At 22:41, the pilot told the master that he intended to dredge the starboard anchor, but the manoeuvre was not discussed in sufficient detail. At 22:53, the pilot requested that the master lower the starboard anchor to water level. The master did so but raised concerns about the water depth. When the master proposed reducing speed with the main engine, the pilot rejected that option because of the current and the need to maintain steerage.
At 22:59, the pilot again requested the starboard-anchor manoeuvre and told the master to take command and control of the vessel. The transfer was not repeated or confirmed. The pilot and master continued issuing orders to the helmsman, who at one point followed the master's orders. The requested starboard-anchor action was not initiated. At 23:05, the pilot again requested the starboard anchor and then requested the port anchor as the vessel continued turning, but neither manoeuvre was executed before the strike.
At 23:06:26, the vessel's port quarter struck the upper approach wall. The master applied astern propulsion and ordered the stern anchor lowered, while the bridge team attempted to realign the vessel. Claude A. Desgagnes crossed the channel and grounded at 23:12. Shortly afterward, it proceeded under its own power to the upper approach wall and was secured at 23:30. Inspection identified two hull indentations, buckled and holed side-shell plating, and ten deformed internal frames. The TSB reported no injuries or pollution.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2013-11-06 04:00 EST | Claude A. Desgagnes departed Hamilton, Ontario, bound for Londonderry. |
| 2013-11-06 22:18 EST | The pilot advised the officer of the watch that starboard-anchor dredging might be used at the lock. |
| 2013-11-06 22:41 EST | The pilot told the master he intended to dredge the starboard anchor; the manoeuvre was not discussed in sufficient detail. |
| 2013-11-06 22:53 EST | The master lowered the starboard anchor to water level. |
| 2013-11-06 22:59 EST | The pilot requested the starboard-anchor manoeuvre and told the master to take command; the transfer was not confirmed. |
| 2013-11-06 23:05 EST | The starboard-anchor request was repeated; a port-anchor manoeuvre was also requested but not executed. |
| 2013-11-06 23:06:26 EST | The port quarter struck the upper approach wall. |
| 2013-11-06 23:12 EST | The vessel crossed the channel and grounded. |
| 2013-11-06 23:30 EST | Claude A. Desgagnes was secured at the upper approach wall. |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| No shared understanding of the slowing manoeuvre | Confirmed finding | The TSB found that the master and pilot disagreed about the method to use and did not develop a mutual understanding before the approach. |
| No effective slowing action before the strike | Confirmed finding | The vessel's speed was not reduced by the requested anchor manoeuvre or the alternative engine manoeuvre before it reached the wall. |
| Incomplete master-pilot communication | Confirmed finding | The pilot's plan was not explained in sufficient detail, and the transfer of conduct was not repeated or confirmed. |
| Conflicting bridge orders | Confirmed finding | The pilot and master both issued orders to the helmsman while control of the vessel had not been clearly resolved. |
| Momentum, wind, and current | Reported | The TSB analysis describes the vessel's momentum and environmental forces as limiting recovery after the strike. |
| Confined approach and traffic sequence | Reported | The lock approach, vessels ahead, need to maintain steerage, and limited manoeuvring space constrained the available options. |
Investigation
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigated occurrence M13C0071 as a Class 3 marine investigation and released its report on 10 December 2014. The TSB found that bridge communication and the lack of a shared master-pilot manoeuvring plan led to the striking and subsequent grounding. The Board does not assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability. Following the occurrence, Transport Desgagnés revised its Bridge Manual Instructions to address bridge resource management, master and officer responsibilities, pilot supervision, and transfer of navigational control.
References
- TSB Canada: Marine Investigation Report M13C0071
- TSB Canada investigation overview: M13C0071
- Government of Canada: Bridge communication led to November 2013 grounding