TSB releases investigation report into Mucktown Girl tragedy in March 2022
In March 2022, the fishing vessel Mucktown Girl faced its final voyage off the coast of Nova Scotia. Amid a powerful storm and a failed towing operation, the ship sank, claiming the life of crew member Jeremy Hart.
A Transportation Safety Board (TSB) investigation revealed a cascade of missteps and system-wide flaws that culminated in tragedy. “It wasn’t just one thing,” says Murray Hawe, regional senior investigator with the TSB. “The weather, equipment, and planning—or lack of it—all played a role.”
A storm brewing
The Mucktown Girl was being towed to safety by the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Jean Goodwill during a severe storm. Winds reached 55 knots, and waves towered up to 10 meters. Six hours into the tow, the worsening weather made the situation critical. Hawe explains, “high towing speed was used to reach calmer waters quickly, but the strain on the towing system, combined with the conditions, led to the failure of the bollard on the fishing vessel.”
The decision to push ahead at high speed proved costly. As the tow failed, the fishing vessel became even more vulnerable. A visual from the investigation report shows the towing setup and the strain on the equipment, underlining the challenges faced.
(Photos of the aft deck of the Jean Goodwill while in dry dock (left) and during the occurrence (right), showing the bollard in the centre and the containers for the SAR equipment and the towing equipment. Source of left image: TSB. Source of right image: Canadian Coast Guard crew member)
Challenges during the rescue
The sinking vessel’s crew were forced to abandon ship amid perilous conditions. Rescuers aboard the Jean Goodwill faced flooded decks and flying debris, complicating their efforts. A photograph from the report captures the Jean Goodwill’s deck awash with water—a stark visual of the chaos.
With its fast rescue craft unusable in the extreme weather, the Jean Goodwill had to deploy a scramble net. Crew members of the Mucktown Girl jumped into the icy Atlantic without notifying the Coast Guard, further hampering coordination. “The communications were severely disrupted,” Hawe recounts. “The Jean Goodwill’s chief officer, who was injured during preparations, was a key link between the deck and the bridge. His absence created a critical gap.”
Missing contingency plan
One of the most glaring issues identified by the TSB was the absence of a contingency plan. Hawe points out that Coast Guard safety manuals mandate the creation of such plans for towing operations, particularly in adverse conditions. “There was no plan for slowing down, managing worsening weather, or addressing the possibility of towing failure,” Hawe notes.
Including an excerpt from the Coast Guard manual alongside the relevant section of the investigation report would underscore the importance of adhering to safety protocols.
Regulatory gaps in towing equipment
Another troubling finding was the lack of regulations governing towing points on fishing vessels. These points are often designed as mooring points, not for towing in extreme conditions. Hawe stresses the need for action: “Fishing vessels are towed frequently, yet there’s no oversight to ensure these points can handle the forces involved. It’s a clear risk.”
Lessons for the future
The TSB’s investigation highlighted several lessons for the fishing and maritime communities. Hawe emphasizes the importance of realistic emergency drills. “Without realistic scenarios, crews and equipment may not be fully prepared to act in the safest and most effective way,” he explains.
Additionally, improved communication protocols and closer collaboration between fishing vessels and rescue teams are essential. The report also calls for immediate action to address regulatory gaps in towing equipment.
Fishing vessel safety has long been a concern for the TSB. Since 2010, it has been a persistent issue on the agency’s watch list. While Hawe acknowledges progress in some areas, he admits there’s much more to do. “We’ve seen improvements, but tragedies like this show how far we still have to go.”
