Severe weather was a factor in the 2022 death of a fishing crew member off Canso.

The Transportation Safety Board says the ‘Mucktown Girl’ had electrical problems, and was towed by the Canadian Coast Guard vessel ‘Jean Goodwill’.

The tow failed, and the crew of five remained on board the drifting vessel.

Two days later, the vessel started taking on water, the crew abanonded ship without informing the Coast Guard vessel.

One crew member was swept away, he was later recovered and pronounced dead in hospital.

Two Coast Guard members were also injured.

The TSB says commercial fishing safety remains on their watchlist until a safety culture has taken root through the industry.