Report: Speed, human error caused barge to crash into pier

(HOUMA, La.) — The Coast Guard says mariners were going too fast when a barge struck and damaged the Downtown Marina, the Daily Comet newspaper reported. The Marquette Transportation vessels were doing almost 4 knots when they should have slowed to 1 or 2 knots to transit the area’s twin-span bridges, according to investigators. High winds, which previously were thought to be a factor, weren’t the cause, the Coast Guard said.
 
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By Professional Mariner Staff