The NTSB report emphasized navigation hazards in the area, noting the captain’s unfamiliarity with local warnings despite his claims of frequent passage. He failed to steer towards a crucial buoy, opting instead for murky waters at high speed. Consequently, he faced penalties for reckless operation, highlighting maritime safety’s critical nature.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported on the grounding of the barge Tom Frazier near Portsmouth, Ohio, on February 10, 2024. The vessel struck submerged structures while maneuvering, causing extensive damage and a flooding incident. Fortunately, all nine crew members were safely evacuated during the emergency.
The NTSB has issued ten safety recommendations for mariners following investigations of 34 maritime incidents last year. Key suggestions include enhancing training, ensuring adequate staffing, and maintaining engine integrity to prevent fires. They emphasize learning from past events, stating, “Most of the accidents we investigated were preventable.”
The NTSB has recommended better preparedness for land-based firefighters responding to marine vessel fires after a tragic incident on the Grande Costa D’Avorio in Newark. Inadequate training and challenges with the ship’s extinguishing system led to the loss of two firefighters and $23 million in damages. Recommendations have been made to improve safety standards.
The NTSB will investigate the tragic fire on the Grande Costa d’Avorio ship leading to the death of two firefighters in Newark. Lack of training for local firefighters in maritime fire control scenarios revealed gaps in emergency preparedness. The investigation highlighted the need for better coordination, training, and resources to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The National Transportation Safety Board found that a towboat mate’s failure to account for the width of a crane led to a collision at North Charleston Terminal. The mate attempted to pass a dredge in a narrow space, resulting in the towboat’s crane barge hitting the STS crane’s boom. This mistake cost $4.5 million in repairs.
A National Transportation Safety Board investigation found that a deteriorated dock in Chalmette, Louisiana collapsed into the water after a barge contact. Despite no injuries or pollution, the dock suffered extensive damage. The incident emphasized the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of both the environment and vessels.
A tragic engine compartment fire at Barbours Cut Marine Terminal in Laporte, Texas, on January 8, 2024, caused by a valve installation error during maintenance, led to one crew member’s death and serious injuries to another. NTSB investigation revealed the installation mistake that resulted in a cascade of events leading to the fatal fire.
A recent incident involving the cargo ship Bonnie G in the Caribbean Sea resulted in its grounding due to a failure of the anchor chain and navigation errors. The ship ran aground south of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, after drifting towards land. The captain’s actions and inadequate precautions led to the total loss.
The NTSB found that a crane’s collision with the Mackinac Bridge was due to incorrect height estimation. The towing vessel’s crew visually estimated the crane’s angle to be safe for passage, but it was actually too high. Lack of proper navigation assessment and verification of safety procedures contributed to the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported a barge strike at Algiers Lock in New Orleans due to surging water from the Mississippi River. The incident involved the towing vessel Kitty pushing two loaded tank barges into the lock during low water conditions. Thankfully, there were no injuries or pollution.
On October 12, 2023, tragedy struck in Tacoma, Washington as a tractor-trailer captain misaligned his vessel, causing a tugboat to collide with the damaged Hylebos Bridge fender system. The NTSB investigation revealed the collision’s high cost and emphasized the importance of proper navigation and coordination to prevent such incidents in the future.
The NTSB investigated the sinking of tugboat Uncle Blue on the Mississippi River. Extensive hull damage caused the vessel to flood due to insufficient maintenance. The report emphasizes the importance of proper hull maintenance and proactive inspections to prevent similar incidents. Lack of a high water bilge sensor in the lazarette delayed the detection of flooding.
A Staten Island Ferry fire in 2022 was caused by a new engine design and crew training. Prompt response and Good Samaritan boats saved 884 passengers, but $12.7 million damage was incurred. NTSB recommendations call for safety improvements in fuel oil return systems and crew training for U.S.-flagged vessels.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that a burst hydraulic hose sprayed fuel onto a hot engine, causing a fire on the tugboat Desperado in Louisiana. The crew’s quick action limited damage, with no pollution or injuries. NTSB emphasized following manufacturer specifications to prevent accidents.
