NTSB – Professional Mariner

11 Apr

Baltimore bridge investigators focusing on Dali’s electrical system

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, NTSB, Salvage

(WASHINGTON) — Federal safety investigators are focusing on the electrical system of the containership Dali, which struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, collapsing the span and plunging six construction workers to their deaths, The Baltimore Sun reported. Investigators, who are still aboard the 984-foot boxship, are searching in the ship’s engine room for an explanation as to…

02 Apr

NTSB: Complacency led to Mississippi River bridge strike

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A towing vessel captain’s complacency led to barges striking the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge last year on the Mississippi River, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The towing vessel Susan K was transiting with 25 barges downbound on the Mississippi River toward the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge on April 23. The captain intended to maneuver the tow through the western…

28 Mar

NTSB releases timeline leading to Baltimore bridge collapse

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, NTSB, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Wednesday released an initial timeline of events in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which was struck by the containership Dali early Tuesday morning. Information recovered from the ship's voyage data recorder (VDR) showed power failed for 1 minute and 3 seconds as the ship approached the…

27 Mar

NTSB recovers ship’s VDR after Baltimore bridge strike

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, NTSB, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported Wednesday that it has recovered the voyage data recorder (VDR) from the containership Dali, which a day earlier struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Md., causing the span to collapse. On Tuesday at about 0127, the 984-foot Singapore-flagged ship reportedly lost power while transiting out of Baltimore Harbor en…

05 Mar

Tug’s speed, hydrodynamic forces led to Texas collision

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — A tugboat maneuvering near a transiting tanker in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel was drawn in toward the tanker, leading to a collision, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The tugboat Mark E. Kuebler and the tanker Nisalah collided in the channel near Ingleside, Texas, on Jan. 22, 2023. The tugboat’s hull was breached by the…

08 Feb

NTSB: Tow pilot forgot passing arrangement before collision

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty Newsbrownwater, NTSB, Tugboats and towing

(WASHINGTON) — A towing vessel pilot incorrectly recalling the agreed-upon passing arrangement led to tows colliding last year on the Mississippi River, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday. According to the Inland Navigation Rules, when two vessels are meeting or crossing, each vessel shall signal its maneuvering intentions by using the vessel’s whistle or VHF radio. About 20…

30 Jan

More witness testimony scheduled on Port Newark ship fire

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsNTSB, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW YORK) — The U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have scheduled follow-up witness testimony on Wednesday and Friday in support of the ongoing investigation into the fire that occurred on July 5, 2023 aboard the Italian-flagged cargo vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio while docked at the Port Newark, N.J. The videos of testimony are scheduled to be…

30 Jan

NTSB safety alert urges use of personal locator devices

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, NTSB

(WASHINGTON) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety alert urging vessel owners and operators to provide each crewmember with a personal locator device. These devices improve a mariner’s chance of rescue during an emergency. During an emergency at sea, a mariner’s chance of survival decreases if search and rescue cannot quickly and accurately identify their location.…

10 Jan

Gale-force winds, high waves led to tilting of elevated liftboat

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsNTSB, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — Gale-force winds and high waves from a storm led to the listing (tilting) of an elevated liftboat in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Wednesday. Damage to the vessel and cargo was estimated at $6.9 million. On Nov. 20, 2022, the liftboat L/B Robert was reported to be listing (tilting) alongside a stationary…

04 Jan

Public hearing slated on fatal Port Newark ship fire

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime Newscasualties, NTSB, U.S. Coast Guard

(NEW YORK) — The U.S. Coast Guard, in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is scheduled to conduct a formal public hearing Jan. 10-18 to consider evidence related to the fire that occurred aboard the Italian-flagged cargo vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio while docked at Port Newark, N.J. The hearing will be open to the public, as well as…