Article

Man dies after falling from pilot boat (Canada)


published on 28 September 2022 863 -

Symbolic image St. John's Harbour - Original article by www.cbc.ca

61-year-old man went overboard from pilot boat meeting vessel coming into port, say police

The RCMP are investigating the death of a man who went overboard outside St. John's harbour from a pilot boat early Tuesday morning.

According to a media release from the RCMP on Tuesday afternoon, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary received a report of a man overboard around 12:30 a.m. NT (9/27/2022).

The RCMP, which has jurisdiction in Canadian territorial waters, has taken over the investigation and is working with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Occupational Health and Safety and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The RCMP released few details Tuesday afternoon, apart from noting the man was 61 years old.

A press release from a Canadian Coast Guard spokesperson said the Maritime Search and Rescue Sub-centre in St. John's sent a coast guard rescue craft and other vessels in the area to the scene, around 3½ kilometres outside the Narrows, and arranged an ambulance.

According to the coast guard, the MV Virginia Ann recovered the man from the water and took him to emergency medical services on shore.

A statement Tuesday afternoon from Canship Ugland, a Canadian ship management company based in Paradise, N.L., said the man was a crew member on one of their boats.

The statement said their boat had finished transferring the pilot to the incoming vessel when the man went into the water. The man was dead when he was pulled from the water.

Canship Ugland president Marco Ahrens said in the statement the company is focused on ensuring the man's family has the support they need.

"We will investigate what happened in co-operation with the authorities. At this time, we will continue to support our employees and the affected family members," said Ahrens in the statement.

The statement says Canship Ugland operates pilot boats for the Atlantic Pilotage Authority in St. John's Harbour.

The authority's CEO, Sean Griffiths, said in the statement that APA is "deeply saddened by the death of a friend and crew member."

"Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones," said Griffiths in statement. "The safety of our people remains our priority. We will do everything we can to support the efforts of the authorities as they investigate this incident and want to ensure this never happens again."

The man's cause of death has not been released.

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
FP
François Pouliot Corporation des Pilotes du Bas Saint-Laurent, Canada
on 10 November 2022, 15:50 UTC

Something must be done to increase safety during transfer operations. Not many other occupations accept this level of risk.
0

Mykyta Kontsevyi Ukraine
on 29 September 2022, 07:27 UTC

Condolences…
0

Read more...

Video Kittiwake Mersey Pilot

published on 22 December 2021

KITTIWAKE ( MMSI 232008570) is a Pilot and currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom (UK) Here she is speeding down the River this morning.

0

Video Pilot Leaving Ship Vigo

published on 31 March 2023

0

Video Pilot Transfer - New Zealand (Auckland) & Australia (Melbourne/Fremantle)

published on 21 October 2021

Spotted some Pilot Boats in the Port of Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne & Fremantle Australia (Port codes: Auckland:NZ AKL ; Melbourne:AU MEL ; Fremantle:AU FRE).

0

Video What a ride: Coast Guard boat is surfing in the mouth of the Duluth Canal

published on 16 September 2020

The mouth of the Duluth Canal is a dangerous entrance in bad weather. Here the coast guard shows the agility of their boats. What a ride!

0

Video Griffiths off Point Lonsdale, for a look over Griffiths see this video https://youtu.be/rAnG87kd9Uw

published on 26 August 2025

Just caught pilot launch Griffiths finishing a MOB drill and goes home to Queenscliff.
For a tour over Griffiths see this video https://youtu.be/rAnG87kd9Uw
Ship spotting at Point Lonsdale and other water activities by Wally on Water.

0

Video The Maryland Pilots between 1950-1965 (a journey through time)

published on 26 March 2020

The Maryland Pilots have guided ships to and from Baltimore since the 1700's. They have been chartered as an organization since 1852. This is an edited except from films about the Pilots shot between 1950-1965 for the Port that Built a City and State. The original films are in the archives of the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

0

Article Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for shipping industry by ICS

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 9 March 2020

Thursday 5th March – The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued brand new guidance for the global shipping industry to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The comprehensive 22-page document has been produced in collaboration with prominent international bodies.

0