The 18 meter long tugboat Harken 10 sank in the Strait of Georgia near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The crew on board the Harken 10 was able to abandon ship into a small boat that was being towed behind the tug. No reports of injuries. The cause of the sinking had not been reported.
The 26 meter long, 260 gt fishing vessel Caledonian sank off Estevan Point near Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. The Caledonian’s four crew were hauling in a net when the fishing vessel began to list. The crew attempted to correct the list, but the dragger capsized and sank. When the Caledonian failed to report in, a search was launched involving three Canadian Coast Guard vessels and an aircraft. The search and rescue operation spotted two crewmen, but both had perished. A third crewman’s body was later found and recovered. The fourth crewman was spotted and rescued by a passing cruise ship MS Statendam which was en route to Victoria. Canadian authorities has launched an investigation into the incident.
On March 18, the 11 meter long tugboat Syringa sank in Halfmoon Bay near Merry Island, British Columbia. The Syringa while towing a barge had massive suffered water ingress quickly flooding the vessel. The two crew had barely enough time to abandon ship before the tugboat sank. The two swam to the Merry Island where they were assisted by the lighthouse keeper. Both suffered from mild hypothermia, but were unharmed. The vessel had sank so fast they were unable to make a mayday call. Witnesses had notified authorities who dispatched a helicopter and vessel to the scene. A tug was dispatched to pick up the barge.