Tag: NTSB

The collision occurred when the chemical tanker changed course to avoid a towboat The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a Preliminary Report concerning the October 29, 2011 collision between the chemical tanker Elka Apollon and the container ship Nederland in the Houston Ship Channel.The collision occurred when the chemical tanker changed course to avoid a towboat and fuel barge that were entering the Houston ship channel.The information in this report is preliminary and will be supplemented or corrected during the course of the investigation."At 0906 central daylight time (CDT) on Saturday, October 29, 2011, the 799-foot Greek-flag chemical tanker Elka Apollon, outbound in the Houston ship channel, collided with the 777-foot inbound Panamanian-flag container vessel MSC Nederland at a point in the channel referred to as Five Mile, which is close to the channel's intersection with the Bayport ship channel.Prior to the collision, the pilots agreed via VHF radio to a port-to-port passing. As the Elka Apollon began its maneuver to meet the MSC Nederland, the towboat Mr. Earl pushing a fuel barge was exiting the Bayport ship channel off the tanker's starboard side. The pilot on the Elka ApollonMSC Nederland. The pilot on the MSC Nederland saw the ...

To reducing the risk of marine casualties when a vessel is operating with a local pilot on board The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a series of safety recommendations related to reducing the risk of marine casualties when a vessel is operating with a local pilot on board.The recommendations are largely derived from the investigation into the January 23, 2010 accident in which the 810-foot-long tanker Eagle Otome collided with the 597-foot-long general cargo vessel Gulf Arrow at the Port of Port Arthur.Recommendations are made to the US Coast Guard to, among other things, conduct a ports and waterways safety assessment of the Sabine-Neches Waterway; to the Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners to, among other things, implement a fatigue mitigation and prevention program among the Sabine pilots; to the Sabine Pilots Association to ensure that member pilots follow guidelines with respect to division of duties and responsibilities; to the Governors of states and territories in which state and local pilots operate to, among other things, promulgate hours of service rules that prevent fatigue; and to the American Pilots' Association to advise members to consistently identify vessels by name in bridge-to-bridge communication.Source: National Transportation Safety Board

Fatigue and distraction also contributed The National Transportation Safety Board determined yesterday that the failure of Eagle Otome's first pilot to correct sheering motions that began as a result of the late initiation of a turn at a mild bend in the waterway was the probable cause of the January 23,2010, collision of the tankship Eagle OtomeGulf Arrow and the subsequent collision with Dixie Vengeance tow. with cargo vesselContributing to the collisions, which caused an estimated 462,000 gallons of oil to spill into the Sabine-Neches canal, was the first pilot's fatigue, caused by his untreated obstructive sleep apnea and his work schedule, which did not permit time for adequate sleep; and his distraction from conducting a radio call, which the second pilot should have handled in accordance with guidelines; and the lack of effective bridge resource management by both pilots. Also contributing to the accident was lack of oversight by the Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners."The NTSB has long been concerned about fatigue in the marine industry, and this accident highlights the very real consequences of degraded performance," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "Additionally, guidelines for operating in this tricky stretch of waterway were established 30 ...

Investigation on the accident of July 2010 by NTSB The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a press release stating that its investigation has determined that the mate operating a tugboat on the Delaware River near Philadelphia on July 7, 2010, failed to maintain a proper lookout while towing a barge alongside.He was inattentive due to his repeated use of a cell phone and lap top computer while communicating with his family who were dealing with a family emergency.As a result of this inattention, the barge collided with an anchored amphibious passenger vehicle, the DUKW 34. The collision resulted in the sinking of the vehicle. Two of the 35 passengers on the vehicle were killed.Minor injuries were suffered by 26 passengers and two crew members.You can view a synopsis of the report by clicking hereSource: National Transportation Safety Board

Passenger ferry and coast guard cutter The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued the report of its investigation into the collision between a US passenger ferry and a US Coast Guard cutter in Block Island Sound on July 2, 2008.To view the full report please click hereSource: NTSB