This summary is based on an investigation report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding a marine casualty that occurred on April 17, 2024, on the Lower Mississippi River. The incident involved a towing vessel pushing multiple barges that collided with moored barges at a fleeting area near Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
What Happened
At approximately 1655 CDT, a towing vessel was navigating downbound on the Mississippi River while pushing 22 loaded hopper barges. The vessel had earlier moored at a fleeting area for a pilot change and departed shortly after. During transit, the pilot failed to make necessary course or throttle adjustments, resulting in the tow colliding with three moored barges. Thirteen barges from the tow broke away, along with three from the fleeting area. The collision caused significant damage to barges, a crew boat, and two mooring dolphins. One minor injury occurred, and no pollution was reported. Estimated total damages reached $810,000.
Why It Happened
The incident occurred primarily due to the pilot becoming distracted during a critical phase of navigation, with cell phone use identified as the central factor. The pilot engaged in both personal and administrative phone use while navigating the vessel, including a 15-minute call from a company safety officer regarding a dress code violation. During this time, the pilot failed to respond to multiple attempts by an approaching vessel to coordinate a passing arrangement, indicating a lapse in attention.
Compounding this distraction was the pilot’s fatigue; he had only a few hours of rest over the previous 36 hours, including a long overnight drive to report to duty. Despite a brief nap en route, the pilot was likely operating with significant acute fatigue, impairing his alertness and decision-making.
Post-incident analysis confirmed that the steering system was operational up until this error. The pilot’s performance was further hindered by limited situational awareness and failure to make course or throttle adjustments in the minutes leading up to the collision.
Actions Taken
Following the incident, the operating company conducted an internal investigation and concluded that the pilot had violated policy by using a personal cell phone while on watch, leading to distraction. The investigation also determined that the pilot had inadvertently switched off the vessel’s steering pumps during the transit.
The pilot was relieved of duty after failing to report for his subsequent watch and being deemed unfit for service by the vessel’s captain. A third-party evaluation of the vessel’s steering system confirmed that it was functioning properly, with no mechanical or electrical faults found. The company’s existing policies regarding fatigue, fitness for duty, and use of personal electronic devices were reinforced during the investigation.
Lessons Learned
- Strict adherence to cell phone use policies is critical. All non-operational communication should be avoided while navigating.
- Fatigue management protocols must account for extended commutes and ensure crew report fit for duty. Self-assessment of fatigue is unreliable and must be supported by objective limits and policies.
- Crew familiarization with vessel systems, particularly critical controls like steering, must be verified before getting underway.
- Supervisors and safety personnel should avoid administrative distractions (e.g., disciplinary discussions) during operational periods unless safety is immediately affected.
- Maintaining vigilance, communication, and situational awareness is essential during transits, especially when encountering heavy traffic or complex navigational areas.
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Source: NTSB
