Report expected today on fatal capsizing off N.S. of First Nation fishing vessel – CityNews

Nov 22, 2023

HALIFAX — Canada’s transportation safety agency says modifications to the deck of the Mi’kmaq fishing boat Tyhawk led to the fatal capsizing in 2021.

The Transportation Safety Board says in a report released today that Transport Canada needs to better define the rules on stability assessments of fishing boats after vessels undergo “major” modifications.

The recommendation is one of three the board released in relation to the capsizing off western Cape Breton on April 3, 2021, which occurred on the first day of crab season.

The report says the boat, based in Elsipogtog First Nation, accumulated water as it was struck by waves and that traps shifted on its deck, causing the vessel to roll over.

Tyhawk’s five crew climbed on top of the overturned vessel, but the master, Craig Sock, was swept into the water.

The four remaining crew were rescued by the fishing vessel Northumberland Spray, but one of them, 39-year-old Seth Monahan, was pronounced dead in hospital.

Read More: https://halifax.citynews.ca/2023/11/22/report-expected-today-on-fatal-capsizing-off-n-s-of-first-nation-fishing-vessel/