The following is a marine accident brief from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB):
(WASHINGTON) — On March 1, 2016, about 0322 local time, the open barge SJ-199 being pushed by the tugboat Kodiak allided with the North Landing Bridge at mile marker (mm) 20.2 in Chesapeake, Va. Just before the allision, the tow had run over a mooring dolphin located on the north side of the river 750 yards from the bridge. Although the vessel incurred no damage, the barge and the bridge sustained an estimated total of $275,000 in damage. No pollution or injuries were reported.
Probable cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the allision between the Kodiak tow and the North Landing Bridge was the mate’s inability to safely navigate the vessel due to his inexperience in conning tows through narrow waterways.
Click here to read the complete report.
