Article

NTSB Investigation: Towing vessel pilot never reported hitting bridge in Louisiana


published on 13 March 2023 151 -

Miss Mollye D moored following the casualty. (Source: US Coast Guard)

What Happened
On December 23, 2021, at 0326 local time, the towing vessel Miss Mollye D was pushing six barges eastbound on Bayou Boeuf between Morgan City and Amelia, Louisiana, when the tow left the channel and struck the Route 182 bridge, which an parallel to the waterway.1 The operator then maneuvered the tow back into the channel, and the tow continued eastbound. Utility workers discovered damage to the bridge later that morning and notified the US Coast Guard. None of the five crewmembers aboard the Miss Mollye D were injured, and no pollution was reported. Damage to the bridge was estimated at $2 million.

What the NTSB Found
The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the contact of the Miss Mollye D tow with the Route 182 bridge was a loss of control of the tow by the pilot at the helm of the towing vessel, likely due to impairment by factors such as fatigue or drug use.

Download full report as PDF here:
Download
Download
Download
Download
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Marine Accident Brief - Collision of Dixie Vandal Tow with Moored Trinity and Tow

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 8 April 2020

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a Marine Accident Brief about an accident that occurred in March 2019, involving the towing vessel Dixie Vandal, noting that the BNWAS alarm didn't prevent the fatigued pilot from falling asleep.

0

Article Docking Pilot’s Actions Cited in Probable Cause of Allision

published on 26 November 2020

The National Transportation Safety Board issued Marine Accident Brief 20/37 Tuesday for its investigation of the Sept. 23, 2019, accident involving the tugboat G.M. McAllister and the NGL Energy Partners wharf on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, near Chesapeake, Virginia.

0

Article NTSB investigation: Higher speed contributes to contact of tow with bridge

published on 14 December 2020

NTSB issued an investigation report on the contact of tow William C with a Rock Island railroad bridge protection cell, on Des Plaines River, in January 2020. The investigation established that high speed prevented the pilot to correct the tow’s position after completing the transit through the previous bridge.

0

Article More details and an analysis of the Ever Given accident

published on 6 October 2021

For "Der Spiegel", an experienced pilot and ex-captain analysed the accident of the freighter Ever Given, which blocked the Suez Canal for days, on the basis of documents. His conclusion: the captain and pilot made serious mistakes during the passage.

0

Video MV Wakashio breaks in two off Mauritius coast

published on 17 August 2020

A Japanese bulk carrier that has spilled more than 1,000 tons of oil since running aground off the coast of Mauritius has broken in two. Officials said the split was caused by a crack in a cargo hold, after the ship's condition deteriorated severely overnight. Emergency teams and thousands of volunteers have been racing to siphon off remaining fuel on board the ship.

1

Article Annual Digest 2020 published by CHIRP Maritime

published on 31 March 2021

CHIRP Maritime has published the 2020 Annual Digest. The Digest contains all articles that were published in the quarterly editions of their FEEDBACK magazine.

0

Article BSU: Interim investigation of Mumbai Maersk grounding

published on 8 February 2023

The German Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) published its interim accident report on the containership MUMBAI MAERSK, which ran aground while entering the Weser fairway, on 2 February 2022.

0

Video Failed overtaking of another ship in a canal - Port Revel Shiphandling

published on 10 May 2020

Manoeuvring large ships at close quarters and on shallow water is one of the most difficult aspects of shiphandling because of the complex hydraulic interactions depending on the ships' speeds, on the water depth and on lateral restrictions like in canals. Training is conducted both on meeting and on overtaking ships in shallow waters. This video shows how overtaking in a canal can easily fail.
More information: http://www.portrevel.com/3781-shiphan...

0

Video How the Sabine Pilots are Redefining Maritime Pilot Transfer with Helicopters

published on 17 February 2026

In one of the busiest and most critical waterways in the United States, timing and safety are everything. Along the Sabine-Neches Waterway in Port Arthur, Texas, the Sabine Pilots are redefining maritime pilot transfer by taking to the air. This video follows the Sabine Pilots and HeliService USA as they use Leonardo AW169 helicopters to move pilots safely and efficiently between ships—reducing risk, improving responsiveness, and keeping America’s energy gateway moving. From offshore hoists...

0

Video You Won’t Believe How A Pilot Boat Is Hauled Out for Refit

published on 24 September 2025

The Pacific Guardian pilot boat is first seen in Victoria Harbour near Ogden Point before making her way to Point Hope Maritime Shipyard for a full refit. This video captures the entire move process, from the cradle lowering into the harbour, to the careful docking of the vessel, to her move across the turntable and onto the spur line. Some of the footage has been sped up, since the cradle lowering and lifting are slow, deliberate operations where every movement is checked and rechecked....

0