Marine transportation

Deployment Placeholder
Image
Deployment
Recommendation Name
Marine transportation safety investigation report

Marine transportation safety issue investigation M24A0348

On July 23, 2025, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) launched a safety issue investigation (SII) (M24A0348) into shipboard fires on commercial vessels and the effectiveness of emergency response in Canada.

Unlike individual occurrence investigations, an SII is broad in scope, involving an in-depth review of multiple occurrences and consulations with key industry stakeholders.

Image
Figure 1. The Holiday Island ferry, before marine evacuation systems were installed (Source: M. Cathrae)

TSB launches national safety investigation into vessel fires and response following Holiday Island ferry fire

Safety issue investigation into vessel fires and emergency response

On July 23, 2025, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) launched a safety issue investigation (SII) (M24A0348) into shipboard fires on commercial vessels and the effectiveness of emergency response in Canada.

Unlike individual occurrence investigations, an SII is broad in scope, involving an in-depth review of multiple occurrences and consulations with key industry stakeholders.

Safety communications related to TSB investigation M22A0258: July 2022 engine room fire of the passenger ferry Holiday Island

The occurrence

On July 22, 2022, a fire broke out in the engine room of the Holiday Island after a non-standard temporary repair made to the ferry’s fuel injection system failed and caused fuel to spray onto hot engine components and ignite. All passengers and non-essential crew members were safely evacuated, and a large-scale emergency response followed. Despite efforts from responders, the fire could not be extinguished, and the vessel was eventually abandoned.

Findings from TSB investigation M22A0258: July 2022 engine room fire of the passenger ferry Holiday Island

Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex since an accident rarely results from a single cause. In the case of the July 2022 engine room fire of the passenger ferry Holiday Island, near Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, several factors led to the accident.

Image
Deployment

TSB is deploying a team of investigators following an incident involving ferry Paule II