NTSB: Loss of rudder effectiveness led gas carrier to strike tug

(WASHINGTON) — A state licensed pilot from the Sabine Pilots took navigational control of the liquefied petroleum gas carrier Gas Ares as it was heading to a loading dock on the Neches River. Due to wind conditions, the pilot planned to have an escort tug for the transit through the Sabine Neches Canal and Neches River.

After the pilot arranged a passing with a tow, the pilot ordered Gas Ares to dead slow ahead to avoid making a wake as the carrier passed a pipeline removal project to starboard near the shoreline (outside of the navigation channel). Winds were strong on the carrier’s starboard side, slowly setting the vessel — which was already on the left side of the 400-foot-wide channel for the passing arrangement with the tow — farther toward the left side of the channel toward vessels moored at docks on that side of the channel.

Path of Gas Ares before it struck the moored tug Sabine at a Motiva dock on the Neches River. NTSB graphic

With the reduction of the ship’s speed, Gas Ares’ rudder became less effective and was not able to move the vessel to starboard and away from the moored vessels on the left side of the channel by rudder and engine alone, or by using the escort tug to pull on the vessel’s starboard quarter. Without enough headway, the pilot was unable to steer the vessel back to the center of the channel and avoid striking an outboard moored tug.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined the probable cause of the impact was the pilot’s decision to reduce the vessel’s speed in order to create less wake when passing the pipeline removal project, causing a loss of rudder effectiveness in strong crosswinds that set the carrier toward moored vessels.

Click here to read the complete report. ​

– National Transportation Safety Board

By Rich Miller