The US Coast Guard announced it will conduct a formal public hearing on 16 July, at USCG Sector Houston-Galveston, to consider evidence related to an incident aboard the Bouchard No. 255 Tank Barge, back in October, with explosion, fire and two fatalities and oil discharge into the water.
In 20 October 2017, the captain of the tug vessel ‘Buster Bouchard’ issued a Mayday call over Channel 16, reporting that the barge B255 attached to his tug was on fire and two crew members were unaccounted for, three miles off the jetties of Port Aransas, Texas. Despite efforts, USCG announced suspension of search for the two people two days later.
The hearing will focus on the condition of the barge prior to and at the time of the casualty, Bouchard Transportation organizational structure and culture, the regulatory compliance record of the Bouchard No. 255 Tank Barge and the towing vessel Buster Bouchard, and the Coast Guard inspections program.
USCG will release a detailed schedule for the hearing at the beginning of July.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is conducting its own investigation, will fully participate in the formal public hearing.
