The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released an investigation report into a fire that broke out on the Clearwater Seafoods scallop fishing vessel Fundy Leader, 100 nautical miles southwest of Cape Sable, Nova Scotia. According to the TSB report M24A0412, the vessel was operating in Canadian waters when the incident occurred.
Vessel and Incident Details
The Fundy Leader (Transport Canada official number 828432) is a 32.13-meter fishing trawler that underwent major conversion to fish scallops in 2015. The vessel is double decked, with the wheelhouse and accommodations located forward of amidships, while the processing area is aft on the main deck. Below the main deck, there are four compartments: the forepeak, engine room, fish hold, and aft peak. The hull is steel-constructed, featuring exhaust trunking that passes directly aft of the accommodations.
The incident involved an exhaust system located near the wheelhouse. The report notes that the main engine's exhaust pipe was fitted with a cylindrical silencer designed to reduce noise but lacked adequate water cooling or insulation as required by the Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1435). This setup created a potential fire hazard, which ultimately led to an onboard fire.
The TSB report states that the fire likely started due to inadequate cooling of the exhaust system and possibly improper installation or maintenance. The vessel's master and crew were able to extinguish the fire but faced significant challenges managing the situation given the remote location from shore. Clearwater Seafoods, which owns 20 other vessels, is closely involved in safety protocols for its fleet.
Inspection Regulations and Safety Recommendations
The TSB investigation highlights that the vessel was not in compliance with mandatory inspection regulations regarding exhaust systems on fishing vessels. Specifically, Section 13(5) of the Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations requires that exhaust pipes and silencers be "efficiently water-cooled, lagged or so installed that they will create no fire hazard." The report recommends improvements to ensure better compliance and safety measures for similar vessel types.
The findings from this investigation have implications for other fishing vessels operating in Canadian waters. While the TSB does not assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability, the recommendations provide crucial guidance for fleet operators to prevent such incidents in the future.