28 Feb

Tanker damages Mississippi ferry landing after losing steerage near New Orleans

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News
The 813-foot Greek-flagged tanker Astro Altair lost steering and struck the state-owned Algiers ferry landing near New Orleans on Aug. 30, 2004. The ship damaged the ferry landing ramp and pontoons, rendering the ramp and the landing unusable. Astro Altair sustained damage to its bow when it hit a ferry landing and pontoons. The ship was trying to round Algiers…
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28 Feb

Oil barge is freed after running aground

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News
A routine tow up the Oregon coast from Coos Bay to Portland almost turned into an environmental disaster when a Sause Brothers oil barge broke free from a Foss Maritime tug while entering the Columbia River on March 19. Millicoma aground near the North Head Lighthouse. Below, a member of the salvage team being lowered onto the barge. A southwest…
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28 Feb

Five tourists killed when high winds overturn pontoon water taxi in Baltimore Inner Harbor

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News
Five tourists died March 6 when a fast-moving cold front packing 50-mile-an-hour winds capsized a water taxi that was ferrying them around Baltimore's historic Inner Harbor. The overturned water taxi sits at a dock after the accident. The boat was flipped by winds exceeding 50 miles per hour.    Image Credit: John Sancken Photos Lady D, a 36-foot two-ton pontoon…
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28 Feb

New Alaska high-speed ferry strikes mooring dolphin when departing Skagway

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty News
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Fairweather rubbed against the mooring lines of a nearby cruise ship and struck a mooring dolphin while departing Skagway, Alaska, on Sept. 21. Fairweather was delivered to the Alaska Marine Highway System in March 2004. Since going into service, the ferry has been operating on just three engines. The fourth has been inoperative because…
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