NTSB: Poor loading led to loss of 21 containers off Hawaii

S C1 Sf7srtu6ouuzghkfsimvh9rzp9ao 3txr5cwrkslmpleyrqwj56qmiwrym06ntpkh5hkb2pnmpu Ccjw1q Syfk23vzeymeauipz1sh7wuhtp9mk1mfh Wnn5oms Cwxstcqhdo Ewg3eqv5ged2oipgam4nfu53js0 D E1 Ft

(WASHINGTON) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that an improperly loaded barge resulted in the loss of 21 cargo containers into the ocean off the coast of Hawaii last year.

The June 22, 2020 accident, 6.9 nautical miles north-northwest of Hilo, Hawaii, resulted in $1.6 million in damage. There were no injuries. The barge Ho’omaka Hou, owned and operated by Young Brothers LLC, was being towed by the tug Hoku Loa at the time.

The NTSB determined in Marine Accident Brief 21/09 that the probable cause of the collapse of container stacks on the barge was the company not providing the barge team with an initial barge load plan, as well as inadequate procedures for monitoring stack weights. That led to the undetected reverse stratification of container stacks that subjected the stacks’ securing arrangements to increased forces while in transit at sea.

S C1 Sf7srtu6ouuzghkfsimvh9rzp9ao 3txr5cwrkslmpleyrqwj56qmiwrym06ntpkh5hkb2pnmpu Ccjw1q Syfk23vzeymeauipz1sh7wuhtp9mk1mfh Wnn5oms Cwxstcqhdo Ewg3eqv5ged2oipgam4nfu53js0 D E1 Ft
U.S. Coast Guard photo

The NTSB conducted a study to determine the locations of the centers of gravity for each stack in the collapsed row of containers on Ho’omaka Hou based on the weights of each container as provided by the company. The NTSB study showed that most were loaded in a manner that produced reverse stratification — meaning that heavier containers were loaded above lighter containers. Normal stratification is preferred because it creates a stack having the lowest possible center of gravity.

The containers were secured primarily with stacking cones, which provided little protection against the containers leaning or tipping. It is likely that when the barge turned about 30 degrees to a new south-southeasterly course, the dynamic rolling from the seas on the vessel’s beam resulted in forces on the container stacks with the greatest reverse stratification, likely causing the containers to tip over, causing the row to collapse, the NTSB found.

“It is important for cargo planners to have tools, such as stow plans and calculations, to assist with determining proper stowage and the sufficiency of securing arrangements for containers stacked on barges,” the report said. “These tools should address the potential that container stacks may be stacked in a reverse stratified manner.”

– National Transportation Safety Board

By Professional Mariner Staff