- A towing vessel operator fell asleep, leading to a $1.5 million accident on the Columbia River.
- The Pilothouse Alarm System failed due to reliance on non-marine-grade motion sensors.
- The Coast Guard recommends upgrading alarm systems and improving safety practices.
A towing vessel pushing a barge collided with a bulk liquid transfer terminal pier on the Columbia River, causing significant damage. The incident highlighted deficiencies in safety systems and operator alertness, reports USCG.
What Happened
The operator fell asleep at the helm, leading to a collision that caused $1.5 million in damage to the barge, pier, and handling equipment.
The event occurred dangerously close to a pipeline with the potential for a major synthetic diesel spill.
Why It Happened
The Pilothouse alarm System, required for single-person pilothouse watches on towing vessels, failed to detect inactivity.
Its reliance on passive infrared (PIR) sensors, sensitive to non-human motion like oscillating fans, compromised its effectiveness. The system was not marine-grade, further reducing reliability.
Consequences
- Over $1.5 million in property damage.
- Potential environmental disaster with synthetic diesel spill.
- Exposed risks associated with non-marine-grade motion detection systems.
Recommendations
- Set alarm intervals based on route and conditions, ensuring they are appropriate for vessel operation.
- Replace non-marine-grade alert systems with systems specifically designed for marine use.
- Train operators and update company safety policies for proper system maintenance and usage.
- Regularly inspect systems to ensure functionality and prevent tampering or circumvention.
- Install marine-grade alert systems voluntarily on vessels under 65 feet for enhanced safety.
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Source: USCG
