The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation into the sinking of a tugboat in the area of the St. Lawrence River where the new Champlain Bridge is being built.
In a statement on Tuesday, the TSB said the Ocean Uanaaq capsized and sank on April 1.
The new Champlain Bridge is being built by a private consortium known as Signature on the St-Lawrence.
The consortium said the incident occurred about 300 metres from Nuns’ Island.
During excavation work involving a barge and three tugboats, one of the tugboats capsized and sank to the bottom of the river. There were no injuries.
“Both members of the crew safely evacuated the vessel in an orderly fashion and crossed over to the larger tug, which was right next to them,” the consortium said.
The workers were wearing specialized flotation equipment and have been trained to work over water, the consortium said, noting that a marine rescue unit also patrols the sector at all times.
The consortium said it is co-operating with the TSB investigation to determine the cause of the incident and has reviewed its work methods.
In September, a 44-year-old construction worker died after falling from a work platform at the Ice Control Structure, adjacent to the existing Champlain Bridge.
