Report a marine occurrence

Determine whether the occurrence is reportable

If the occurrence involved a pleasure craft, report it to the local police.

Definition of a reportable occurrence
  1. A reportable marine occurrence is one that results directly from the operation of a ship, other than a pleasure craft, where a person is killed or sustains a serious injury as a result of
    1. boarding, being on board or falling overboard from the ship, or
    2. coming into direct contact with any part of the ship or its contents;
  2. a person falls overboard from the ship;
  3. a crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the ship is unable to perform their duties as a result of a physical incapacitation which poses a threat to the safety of persons, property or the environment;
  4. the ship
    1. sinks, founders or capsizes,
    2. is involved in a collision or a risk of a collision,
    3. sustains a fire or an explosion,
    4. goes aground,
    5. makes unforeseen contact with the bottom without going aground,
    6. sustains damage that affects its seaworthiness or renders it unfit for its purpose,
    7. is anchored, grounded or beached to avoid an occurrence,
    8. is missing or abandoned,
    9. fouls a utility cable or pipe, or an underwater pipeline,
    10. sustains a total failure of
      1. the navigation equipment if the failure poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment,
      2. the main or auxiliary machinery, or
      3. the propulsion, steering, or deck machinery if the failure poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment;
  5. all or part of the ship's cargo shifts or falls overboard; or
  6. there is an accidental release on board or from the ship consisting of a quantity of dangerous goods or an emission of radiation that is greater than the quantity or emission levels specified in Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Source: Transportation Safety Board Regulations Section 3(1)

If you wish to report—in complete confidence—another kind of act or condition in the Canadian transportation system that is potentially unsafe, use Securitas.

Determine whether you are the right person to report

You may report the occurrence if you are the operator of the ship, other than a pleasure craft, whether or not you are the owner, the master, the ship's pilot, a crew member, or the harbour master, and have direct knowledge of the occurrence.

Source: Transportation Safety Board Regulations Section 3(1)

Call with your initial report as soon as possible after the occurrence

A standby investigator is ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • Direct or collect: 819-994-3741
  • Toll-free: 1-800-387-3557

Source: Transportation Safety Board Regulations Section 3(1)

Submit a full report within 30 days of the occurrence

You may download and save this form. Fill out the appropriate fields and email it to the email address indicated on the form. You may also print and mail the completed form. If you wish to print a blank form, please click the "FORM RESET" button, fill out the report by hand, and send by regular post to the address indicated on the form.

See Transportation Safety Board Regulations Section 3(3)

Personal information collection statement

All personal information created, held or collected by the TSB is protected under the Privacy Act. This means that you will be informed of the purpose for which it is being collected and how to exercise your right of access to that information. You will be asked for your consent where appropriate.

Public communications

The personal information you include in an inquiry may be used to prepare a reply. The personal information is collected pursuant to the Privacy Act. Such information may be used for statistical, evaluation and reporting purposes. The information is included in the personal information bank PSU 914 - Public communications. The information may be shared with programs and activities of the TSB should your inquiry pertain to a specific program or activity of the agency. In such cases, the information is included in the personal information bank of the program or activity.

The transmission of this information is not secure so sensitive personal information, such as your Social Insurance Number, should not be included in your message.

If after reading this statement, you prefer not to submit your inquiry via the Internet, you may use one of the following methods:

Telephone (toll-free in Canada):
1-800-387-3557
Telephone (outside Canada):
819-994-3741
Mail:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Place du Centre, 4th floor
Gatineau QC  K1A 1K8

Privacy inquiry

Any questions, comments, concerns or complaints regarding the administration of the Privacy Act and privacy policies may be directed to the departmental Privacy Coordinator by:

Email:
atip.aiprp@bst-tsb.gc.ca
Telephone:
819-994-8003
Mail:
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
200 Promenade du Portage
Place du Centre, 4th floor
Gatineau QC K1A 1K8

If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concern, you may wish to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner by e-mail at info@priv.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-800-282-1376.