The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will carry out a detailed investigation and issue a report on the cause of an April 23 collision between a U.S. fishing trawler and a Canadian naval frigate in Esquimalt Harbour.
Investigators were on board the American Dynasty at the Esquimalt Graving Dock on Wednesday to carry out tests on the generator, which failed just prior to the collision, said Raymond Mathew, manager of marine investigations for the safety board.
The American Dynasty was in the process of shutting down its engines when there was an electrical blackout and the trawler turned to the right and plowed into HMCS Winnipeg, moored at CFB Esquimalt.
Two tug boats, which had lines to the vessel, were unable to manoeuvre the American Dynasty once its surging engines took it off course.
The tug boats were taking the American Dynasty to the graving dock for its five-year refit, Mathew said.
The American Dynasty was going about 1.5 to two knots at the entrance to the harbour and then surged to eight knots before striking the frigate.
Both vessels sustained damage to their bows. Estimates of the damage have not been released.
The crew of the trawler have been interviewed. A further investigation will look at computer programs that operate the ship’s systems, Mathew said.
The report will list any safety deficiencies, Mathew said. If investigators find something critical, they may issue a safety letter to mariners before the report is published.
Such investigations and reports often take a year or more, he said.
