The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released an investigation report on the incident that occurred on 27 October 2023 involving the cargo vessel Sivumut while transshipping cargo in Frobisher Bay, Nunavut. According to TSB, during transshipment operations with barges and tugs, the tug Qimmiq departed from the Sivumut after towing a barge named Tasijuaq. Shortly thereafter, the barge began to capsize, resulting in the loss of 23 shipping containers and one crew member who fell overboard.

Eight minutes later, the crew member was retrieved by the Sivumut’s crew and transported to Iqaluit for medical attention where they were pronounced safe. However, six of the 24 containers were not recovered from the water. The incident highlights critical safety concerns during transshipment operations in remote areas.

The TSB report notes that while the tug Qimmiq had departed under normal circumstances, the subsequent capsize and loss of cargo indicate potential issues with the handling or securing of the barge Tasijuaq. Details from the TSB investigation will be used to advance transportation safety practices, but fault or liability is not assigned.

The Sivumut, a 9,618 GT general cargo ship built in 2010 and owned by Transport Sivumut Inc., operates under NEAS Inc. as the managing company (charterer). The investigation also revealed that while crew fatigue was managed within standard practices, unexpected events like this can still occur, emphasizing the need for robust safety protocols during transshipment operations.

Incident details

The incident involved several key vessels:

  • Vessel name Sivumut
    • Gross tonnage: 9,618 GT
    • Length (m): 138.5 m
    • Breadth (m): 21.34 m
    • Crew complement: 20 crew members
  • Tug Qimmiq
    • Gross tonnage: 13.47 GT
    • Length (m): 10.28 m
    • Crew complement: 2 crew members
  • Barge Tasijuaq I and II
    • Gross tonnage: 49.39 GT each
    • Length (m): 15.68 m
    • Crew complement: N/A (one crew member stationed atop the containers)

The TSB report underlines the importance of thorough pre- and post-operation checks, especially in dynamic environments like those experienced during transshipment operations. The incident serves as a reminder for maritime operators to review their safety protocols and ensure that all vessels involved are adequately prepared.