Last week, after a lengthy investigation by the Transportation Safety Board into the the sinking of the tugboat Ingenika near Kitimat BC in 2021, that killed both Troy Pearson and Charley Cragg, found that the Ingenika’s crew were not adequately trained, onboard survival equipment had not been maintained, and the vessel was underpowered for the large barge it was towing to the Rio Tinto Smelter.

The report also stated that stronger regulations and inspections for light tugboats under 15,000 tonnes should be a requirement for more than 1,300 tugboats across Canada that currently go uninspected.

"After hearing the TSB this morning, we wholeheartedly agree with the recommendations," said Jason Woods, president of Local 400 Marine & General Workers Union.

This sector, this under tonnage, 15 ton vessel industry here in BC, where there are over 1000 commercial vessels, none of them bear any scrutiny. None of them are inspected. Today you see commercial vessels or commercial trucks driving down your streets. You see trains, you see planes. All of them are inspected at one point or another by provincial or federal regulatory agencies.

Last Friday MP for Skeena Bulkley Valley as well as members of the union that represented both men and their families addressed the Transportation Safety Boards report findings and to call on federal transport minister Omar Alghabra to immediately implement all of the Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations.

Listen to the full interviews below.