The 226 meter long bulk carrier CWB Marquis ran aground on the St. Lawrence River near Beauharnois, Montérégie. The bulk carrier departed from Hamilton loaded with iron ore when it grounded near the locks after striking large block of ice. The CWB Marquis remained aground until later the same day when it was pulled free. The bulker proceeded to Melocheville for further inspection. The CWB Marquis was the first vessel to travel on the St. Lawrence Seaway of the 2015 season.
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.
The 199 meter long ro-ro passenger/cargo vessel Highlander became stuck in ice in the Cabot Strait. The Highlander was en route to Port aux Basques from North Sydney with 190 passengers when it got stuck in thick ice. The vessel requested assistance with the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis St. Laurent arriving a short time later. The icebreaker was able to break a path through the ice and both vessels proceeded to Port aux Basques. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
