Deckhand Fatigue Led to Collision in Columbia River,Report

A recent report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that a deckhand on the towing vessel Cindy B fell asleep at the helm, leading to a collision with a dock near Clatskanie, Ore. The incident occurred on Nov. 12, 2023, as the vessel was pushing the loaded deck barge St. John up the Columbia River. The deckhand, who was experiencing fatigue, had fallen asleep during the end of his scheduled night watch, which started at midnight and ended at 6 a.m. This was exacerbated by his transition from day to night watches, disrupting his awake/sleep cycle.

The NTSB report highlighted the importance of pilothouse alerter systems in preventing such incidents. The system in the Cindy B did not alarm to wake the deckhand because a swinging VHF radio microphone interfered with the motion sensors, resetting the system’s timers. Studies have shown that workers on night shifts, like mariners on night watches, are more prone to alertness loss and attention lapses, increasing the risk of accidents. Transitioning from daytime to nighttime watches can further impact alertness and increase the likelihood of incidents.

Fatigue is a common factor in marine casualties investigated by the NTSB, emphasizing the need for mariners to understand the performance effects of sleep loss and the dangers of working while fatigued. The collision resulted in an estimated $6 million in damages to the St. John and Beaver Dock. The report underscored the importance of established procedures for pilothouse alerter systems and longer downtime between watches to mitigate the risks associated with awake/sleep cycle disturbances on vessels.

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