MARINE INVESTIGATION REPORT M16P0378 Grounding and subsequent sinking Articulated tug-barge Tug Nathan E. Stewart and tank barge DBL 55 Seaforth Channel, 10 nm west of Bella Bella, British Columbia 13 October 2016 Transportation Safety Board of Canada Place du Centre 200 Promenade du Portage, 4th floor Gatineau QC K1A 1K8 819-994-3741 1-800-387-3557 www.tsb.gc.ca [email protected] © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, 2018 Marine investigation report M16P0378 Cat. No. TU3-7/16-0378E-PDF ISBN 978-0-660-26194-2 This report is available on the website of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada at www.tsb.gc.ca Le présent rapport est également disponible en français. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigated this occurrence for the purpose of advancing transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability. Marine Investigation Report M16P0378 Grounding and subsequent sinking Articulated tug-barge Tug Nathan E. Stewart and tank barge DBL 55 Seaforth Channel, 10 nm west of Bella Bella, British Columbia 13 October 2016 Summary On 13 October 2016, shortly after 0100 Pacific Daylight Time, the articulated tug-barge composed of the tug Nathan E. Stewart and the tank barge DBL 55 went aground on Edge Reef near Athlone Island, at the entrance to Seaforth Channel, approximately 10 nautical miles west of Bella Bella, British Columbia. The tug’s hull was eventually breached and approximately 110 000 L of diesel oil were released into the environment. The tug subsequently sank and separated from the barge. The tug was removed from the environment 33 days after the occurrence. Seven 208 L drums of diesel oil–soiled absorbent pads were collected from the site. Le présent rapport est également disponible en français. Marine Investigation Report M16P0378 | iii Table of contents 1.0 Factual information ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 Particulars of the vessels ...................................................................................................1 1.2 Description of the tug and the tank barge ......................................................................1 1.2.1 Tug ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2.2 Tank barge .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 History of the voyage ........................................................................................................3 1.4 Spill response and tug salvage .........................................................................................6 1.4.1 Summary ............................................................................................................................ 9 1.5 Vessel certifications ............................................................................................................9 1.5.1 Tug ...................................................................................................................................... 9 1.5.2 Tank barge .......................................................................................................................... 9 1.6 Personnel certification and experience ............................................................................9 1.6.1 Master ................................................................................................................................. 9 1.6.2 Second mate ..................................................................................................................... 10 1.6.3 First mate .......................................................................................................................... 10 1.6.4 Assistant tankerman ....................................................................................................... 10 1.7 Environmental conditions ...............................................................................................10 1.8 Damage to the vessels ......................................................................................................11 1.8.1 Tug .................................................................................................................................... 11 1.8.2 Tank barge ........................................................................................................................ 11 1.9 Company operations........................................................................................................11 1.10 Inside Passage transits .....................................................................................................11 1.11 Coastal pilotage ................................................................................................................12 1.11.1 Pacific Pilotage Authority Canada risk assessment project ....................................... 13 1.12 Bridge-manning requirements .......................................................................................14 1.12.1 Bridge resource management ........................................................................................ 14 1.12.2 Bridge procedures guide ................................................................................................ 14 1.12.3 Canadian requirements .................................................................................................. 15 1.12.4 United States Coast Guard requirements .................................................................... 15 1.12.5 Company requirements .................................................................................................. 16 1.13 Fatigue ...............................................................................................................................17 1.13.1 Circadian rhythm ............................................................................................................ 18 1.13.2 Work–rest requirements ................................................................................................. 18 1.14 Second mate’s work–rest schedule and risk of fatigue ...............................................21 1.15 Fatigue risk mitigation strategies ...................................................................................23 1.15.1 Fatigue awareness training ............................................................................................ 23 1.15.2 Leadership training for seafarers .................................................................................. 24 1.15.3 Crew endurance management systems ........................................................................ 25 1.15.4 Company management of fatigue risks ....................................................................... 25 1.16 Previous occurrences .......................................................................................................26 1.16.1 One-person bridge operations ....................................................................................... 26 1.16.2 Fatigue .............................................................................................................................. 26 iv | Transportation Safety Board of Canada 1.17 Incident command system ..............................................................................................27 1.18 Responsibilities and response.........................................................................................27 1.18.1 Fisheries and Oceans Canada ........................................................................................ 28 1.18.2 Transport Canada ............................................................................................................ 31 1.18.3 Western Canada Marine Response Corporation ........................................................ 33 1.18.4 British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy ............ 34 1.18.5 Heiltsuk First Nation ...................................................................................................... 34 1.18.6 Environment and Climate Change Canada ................................................................. 35 1.18.7 Nathan E. Stewart crew .................................................................................................. 36 1.18.8 Responsible party ............................................................................................................ 37 1.19 Responders’ after-action reviews ...................................................................................38 1.19.1 Communications ............................................................................................................. 38 1.19.2 Roles and responsibilities ............................................................................................... 38 1.19.3 Safety equipment ............................................................................................................. 39 1.19.4 Training and exercises .................................................................................................... 39 1.19.5 Site safety .......................................................................................................................... 39 1.19.6 Operational spill response ............................................................................................