Report: Towboat mate was on cell phone during duck boat crash

(PHILADELPHIA) — The first mate who was operating the tow at the time a barge struck a duck tour boat, killing two people, was on talking on his cell phone, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, citing documents from the National Transportation Safety Board. Evidence shows the mate was preoccupied with a family emergency and was on the phone with his mother at the time of the accident. The NTSB released hundreds of pages of transcripts of interviews and other evidence this morning.
 
Click here to view the newspaper’s story, photo and links to related stories and documents.
 
Click here to access the NTSB’s documents.
By Professional Mariner Staff