Annual Report to Parliament 2003-2004

MARINE
Occurrence Statistics and Investigations

ANNUAL STATISTICS

There were 546 marine accidents reported to the TSB in 2003, a 13% increase from the 2002 total of 485 and a 2% increase from the 1998-2002 average of 537. Marine fatalities reached a 29-year low of 18 in 2003, down from 28 in 2002 and the 1998-2002 average of 34.

Shipping accidents, which accounted for 88% of marine accidents, totalled 481 in 2003-up from 449 in 2002, but comparable to the 1998-2002 average of 477. Approximately half of all vessels involved in shipping accidents were fishing vessels. Accidents to persons aboard ship, which include falls, electrocution and other types of injuries requiring hospitalization, totalled 65 in 2003, up from 36 in 2002 and the 1998-2002 average of 60.

Marine activity for Canadian commercial non-fishing vessels increased by 10% from the 1998-2002 average, resulting in a 16% decrease in the accident rate from 3.2 to 2.7 accidents per 1000 movements. Although marine activity for foreign commercial non-fishing vessels remained relatively unchanged compared to the 1998-2002 average, accidents decreased yielding a 33% reduction in the accident rate from 2.1 to 1.4 accidents per 1000 movements.

In 2003, shipping accidents resulted in 9 fatalities, down from 19 in 2002 and the 1998-2002 average of 21. Accidents aboard ship resulted in 9 fatalities, equal to the 2002 total but lower than the 1998-2002 average of 13.

There were 34 vessels reported lost in 2003, comparable to the 32 reported lost in 2002 but lower than the 1998-2002 average of 43. This decrease is mainly accounted for by a reduction in lost vessels under 15 tons gross tonnage.

In 2003, 221 marine incidents were reported in accordance with TSB mandatory reporting requirements. This represents a 27% increase from the 2002 total of 174 and a 10% increase over the 1998-2002 average of 201. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in close-quarters situations.

Figure 5 - Marine Occurrences and Fatalities

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MARINE INVESTIGATIONS STARTED IN 2003-2004

The following information is preliminary. Final determination of events is subject to the TSB's full investigation.

MARINE REPORTS RELEASED IN 2003-2004

MARINE RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUED IN 2003-2004

ASSESSMENT OF RESPONSES TO MARINE RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUED IN 2002-2003

OTHER MARINE SAFETY ACTION TAKEN

• TC stated it will review the requirements for a second means of escape from crew spaces on small fishing vessels.
  
  
• TC stated it will amend the Marine Emergency Duties A3/A4 courses to include special training on boarding rigid liferafts.
  
  
• The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)/Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) made improvements to the aids to navigation at the approaches to Port Hardy, British Columbia.
  
  
• The ferry company Marine Atlantic Inc. amended its safety management manuals and took action to ensure safety briefings are carried out on the ferries.
  
  
• Marine Atlantic Inc. stated that it will take action to improve crew familiarity with the ferry fire detection system and improve internal shipboard communications.
  
  
• Effective 1 August 2003, when transiting Seaway waters, a duplicate set of the ship's fire control plans is required by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation to be permanently stored in a prominently marked weathertight enclosure outside the vessel's deckhouse (superstructure) for the assistance of shore side fire-fighting personnel.
  
  
• As of 1 October 2003, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation requires vessels within the Seaway to have qualified personnel in the wheelhouse at all times and to have sufficient and well-rested crew members available for mooring operations.
  
  
• In conjunction with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, TC sent a survey to over 150 fire departments across Canada to evaluate the preparedness of Canadian firefighters in responding to shipboard incidents at Canadian ports.
  
  
• On 24 February 2004, TC's Life Saving Equipment Regulations were amended to require the stowage of life-saving equipment so that it is readily accessible.

PIPELINE
Occurrence Statistics and Investigations

ANNUAL STATISTICS

A total of 20 pipeline accidents were reported to the TSB in 2003, equal to the 2002 total and the 1998-2002 average. The last fatal pipeline accident in the portion of the industry under federal jurisdiction occurred in 1988. No serious injuries resulted from pipeline accidents in 2003. Between 1998 and 2002, five serious injuries occurred, including four from one accident in 1998.

Pipeline activity is estimated to have increased by 5% over last year, yielding an accident rate of 1.5 pipeline accidents per exajoule⁶ in 2003, down from 1.58 in 2002 and the 1998-2002 average rate of 1.67.

In 2003, 38 pipeline incidents were reported in accordance with TSB mandatory reporting requirements, up three from the 2002 total and the 1998-2002 average. In 2003, 84% of incidents involved uncontained or uncontrolled release of small quantities of gas, oil and high vapour-pressure products.

Figure 6 - Pipeline Occurences

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