Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lady of Nipissing
- Type: Small pleasure/fishing boat
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Under 20 ft (6 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not applicable
- Location: Near Manitou Islands, Lake Nipissing, Ontario, Canada
- Official Number: Not listed
- Original Owners: Private
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Small aluminium pleasure/fishing boat
Description
The Lady of Nipissing was a small private vessel, likely under 20 feet in length, typical of those used on Lake Nipissing for leisure or recreational fishing. Constructed from aluminium and operated privately, the boat was not registered with a commercial registry and likely lacked significant onboard buoyancy or safety upgrades.
History
Operating on Lake Nipissing, the vessel was used for recreational outings near the Manitou Islands, a known fishing and boating destination southwest of North Bay. The region is known for rapidly changing weather conditions and variable water temperatures, making smaller vessels vulnerable if caught unprepared or overloaded.
On August 25, 2013, two passengers were aboard when the vessel began to take on water and ultimately capsized. Weather and wave conditions at the time may have contributed to the sinking. The occupants, a man and woman, attempted to swim to shore. The female survivor reached Little Manitou Island and was rescued by OPP marine units after reporting the incident.
Significant Incidents
- Capsized and sank on August 25, 2013.
- Two passengers were aboard; one drowned, and the other survived.
- Search and rescue operations were conducted by OPP marine units.
Final Disposition
The boat sank in open water between Little and Great Manitou Islands. A large-scale search was launched by the North Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), including marine units, aerial support, and volunteers. Tragically, 52-year-old Daniel Mantha of North Bay drowned during the swim. His body was recovered the next morning near Great Manitou Island.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no public record indicating the wreck of the Lady of Nipissing has been recovered or surveyed. Given its small size, it likely rests submerged in relatively shallow water near the Manitou Islands and may have broken up.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lady-of-nipissing-2013″ title=”References & Links”]
The Lady of Nipissing incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in recreational boating. Despite being a small, non-commercial vessel, the loss of life and the dramatic rescue effort underline the need for safety precautions, especially in colder waters like Lake Nipissing. The precise wreck site remains undocumented, but the event is remembered in the North Bay community.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lady of Nipissing
- Former Names: None
- Port of Registry: North Bay, Ontario
- Official Number: Not listed
- Date Built: Not publicly recorded
- Vessel Type: Small pleasure/fishing boat (aluminum)
- Tonnage: Not applicable (small recreational craft)
- Date Lost: August 25, 2013
- Cause: Capsized and sank
- Final Location: Near Manitou Islands, Lake Nipissing, Ontario, Canada
Vessel Type
Small aluminium pleasure/fishing boat
Description
The Lady of Nipissing was a small private vessel, likely under 20 feet in length, typical of those used on Lake Nipissing for leisure or recreational fishing. Constructed from aluminium and operated privately, the boat was not registered with a commercial registry and likely lacked significant onboard buoyancy or safety upgrades.
History
Operating on Lake Nipissing, the vessel was used for recreational outings near the Manitou Islands, a known fishing and boating destination southwest of North Bay. The region is known for rapidly changing weather conditions and variable water temperatures, making smaller vessels vulnerable if caught unprepared or overloaded.
On August 25, 2013, two passengers were aboard when the vessel began to take on water and ultimately capsized. Weather and wave conditions at the time may have contributed to the sinking. The occupants, a man and woman, attempted to swim to shore. The female survivor reached Little Manitou Island and was rescued by OPP marine units after reporting the incident.
Final Disposition
The boat sank in open water between Little and Great Manitou Islands. A large-scale search was launched by the North Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), including marine units, aerial support, and volunteers. Tragically, 52-year-old Daniel Mantha of North Bay drowned during the swim. His body was recovered the next morning near Great Manitou Island.
Located By & Date Found
There is no public record indicating the wreck of the Lady of Nipissing has been recovered or surveyed. Given its small size, it likely rests submerged in relatively shallow water near the Manitou Islands and may have broken up.
Notmars & Advisories
Nil return. The wreck is not marked as a navigational hazard and is not listed in official marine advisories or obstructions.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Lady of Nipissing incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in recreational boating. Despite being a small, non-commercial vessel, the loss of life and the dramatic rescue effort underline the need for safety precautions, especially in colder waters like Lake Nipissing. The precise wreck site remains undocumented, but the event is remembered in the North Bay community.
Keywords, Categories and Glossary
Keywords: Lady of Nipissing, Lake Nipissing shipwreck, Daniel Mantha, Manitou Islands capsizing, Ontario pleasure boat accident
Categories: Ontario small vessel incidents, Lake Nipissing wrecks, non-commercial marine losses
Glossary Terms:
- Capsize: When a boat overturns in the water.
- Manitou Islands: A group of islands in Lake Nipissing, often associated with recreational boating and fishing.
- OPP Marine Unit: Ontario Provincial Police unit specializing in water-based search and rescue and law enforcement.