GEORGE H LEDCOR

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

TSB report in capsize of tug published

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) on Oct 2, 2019, highlighted the risks, concerning the girding and capsizing of the 'George H. Ledcor' on Aug 13, 2019, which happened due to a lack of awareness, informal work practices and insufficient guidance and training in the towing industry. The tug was towing the loaded gravel barge 'Evco 55' along with the assist tug 'Westview Chinook' pushing it to an unloading facility in the north arm of the Fraser River, British Columbia. At approximately 10.10. p.m. the 'George H. Ledcor' girded and capsized after being overtaken by the barge. The four crew members on board were rescued from the tug's overturned hull. The investigation found that the girding and capsizing happened quickly following an attempt to change the direction of the barge. As the barge began to overtake the tug, the towline exerted a broadside force on the tug, placing it in a girded position. The master applied full starboard rudder and full throttle; however the various forces acting on the tug's stability combined to increase the tug's heel. As the tug's deck edge and bulwarks submerged, the tug heeled further to starboard. Attempts to abort the tow were unsuccessful and the tug rapidly capsized.

Tug raised and drained

The "George H. Ledcor" that sank at the mouth of the Fraser River off Vancouver has been pulled from the water on Aug 16 at 10.30 a.m., and the next step was to determine how much fuel leaked from the vessel. The tug was hauling a loaded gravel barge on the north arm of the Fraser River not far from Vancouver International Airport when it capsized late on Aug 13. After the vessel was lifted out of the water, crews were draining potentially contaminated water into a special container on the cranebarge. The tug will then be inspected for damage before it can be moved. Environmental concerns and numerous approvals would be required before it could be moved upriver to a shipyard. The amount of diesel lost is expected to be much lower than the 22,000 litres maximum potential. Reports with photos and video: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sunken-fraser-river-tugboat-finally-raised-1.4788067 https://www.news1130.com/2018/08/16/capsized-tugboat-recovered-fraser-river-diesel-spill-amount-still-unclear/

Tug to be raised by crane barge

The "George H. Ledcor tugboat" was expected to be retrieved from the waters near Deering Island in South Vancouver on Aug 15. The vessel sank early on Aug 14 in the North Arm of the Fraser River. A larger crane barge needed to be brought to the area to complete the recovery operation. Some diesel fuel escaped into the water, creating a rainbowlike colour on the surface. Containment booms have been placed around where diesel had been escaping. Dive crews have plugged fuel vents to stem the flow. The Western Canada Marine Response Corporation has used a skimmer and collected absorbent pads. Reports with photos and video: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1118343/deversement-diesel--fleuve-fraser-naufrage-environnement https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tugboat-recovery-effort-underway-on-fraser-river-1.4786061 https://www.straight.com/news/1116641/sunken-tugboat-will-soon-be-pulled-out-north-arm-fraser-river