(Gatineau, Quebec, April 23, 2009) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) today released its final investigation report (M07L0040) into the April 11, 2007 grounding of the chemical/products tanker Sichem Aneline in Montréal, Quebec.
The investigation found that an electrical anomaly in the steering gear control system circuitry likely caused a rudder malfunction and allowed the vessel to leave the channel and ground.
The TSB has also identified the lack of a continuous lifetime maintenance and failure record as a safety risk in this report. The lack of a continuous lifetime maintenance and failure record on vessels may preclude proper maintenance and trend analysis, thus increasing the risk of machinery failure. This is not the first instance where this safety issue has been identified by the TSB (Report M00L0034 - Millenium Yama). Therefore, the Board recommends that:
On April 11, 2007, the chemical/products tanker Sichem Aneline, loaded with benzene, experienced a steering gear malfunction and grounded on the south side of the Pointe-aux-Trembles anchorage in the St. Lawrence River. The vessel was refloated on April 15 and towed to the Port of Montréal. There were no injuries or pollution and the vessel sustained only minor damage.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
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The report M07L0040 and the recommendation are also available on the TSB site.
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Transportation Safety Board of Canada
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