On the aftermath of a recent incident involving death of a tow vessel Captain, the USCG issued a Safety Alert to remind commercial towing and salvage operators to assess operational risks at all times and continually reassess risks based on weather, equipment, experience, and evolving conditions on-scene. It also reminds all those on the water to use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for prevailing weather conditions.
A commercial towboat Captain got underway for a nighttime dock-to-dock tow, during a period when the State had declared a State of Emergency for an approaching winter storm and the National Weather Service had issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region.
Prior to the tow’s departure, the towed vessel was in stable condition at its moored location with no imminent threat to compel a towing operation. However, the Captain and company management decided to conduct the tow based on observed stable weather conditions and an assessment that the tow could be completed before the onset of heavy weather. They further assessed that the protected route, comprised of inland waterways, would minimize the impact of any weather encountered. The Captain was the sole operator aboard the towboat and a hired deckhand was onboard the towed vessel.
Around 6:00 p.m., the towboat hooked up to its tow and got underway. Within a few hours, the weather deteriorated to near white out conditions with a visibility of less than a quarter mile and sustained winds from the NW at roughly 20-30 knots with periodic gust to 35 knots. The tow vessel subsequently capsized due to heavy seas and wind at about 1:30 a.m. the next morning. The deckhand onboard the towed vessel saw the Captain enter the water, but lost sight of him due to darkness, the sea state, and blizzard conditions. The body was found deceased two days later and was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).
Investigators determined the company’s preferred safety equipment was Adult Universal Inflatable CO2 activated Type-V PFDs. In the cabin of the salvaged vessel were five Type V PFDs found in varying states of inflation due to submersion. One PFD was fully inflated, three were partially inflated and one was uninflated. Each PFD had a label sewn on it with the notation “Do not use below freezing refer to owner’s manual for more information”. The owner’s manual for the PFDs had specific instructions for what to do in below-freezing temperatures. It called for partial pre-inflation and / or topping off after auto-inflation by using the oral inflator. It also suggested the use of other types of PFDs when operating in cooler water to delay the onset of hypothermia.
As a result of this casualty, the USCG strongly recommends the following:
1.Heed inclement weather warnings:
- Obtain and monitor weather forecasts and marine weather forecasts for your area of operations.
- Evaluate the need to get underway in forecasted hazardous weather.
- Consider safe havens and contingency plans along your route should hazardous weather arrive unexpectedly.
- Delay tows or salvage operations as necessary to prevent putting yourself at risk.
2.Wear lifejackets:
- Obtain the best PFD suited for your operation and environment.
- Read the PFD manual and equipment labels.
- Follow all instructions including PFD maintenance and inspection recommendations.
- For cold water operations consider using an approved flotation coat or deck-suit style PFD.
USCG notes towing and salvage organizations should implement policies, procedures, and training to address the issues identified in this alert including proper PFD selection and usage. Furthermore, risk management tools and decision-making criteria should be adopted and exercised to safeguard operations.
