Join our crew and become one of the 109,855 members that receive our newsletter.
The Rigolets Bridge is pictured in the closed position on Jan. 29, 2021. It is shown as being approached from the south, heading north. Red navigational lights on the west and east fenders are circled. Note the bridge was not fitted with all navigational lights as required by regulation. Source: Bullard Marine Solutions, annotated by NTSB
NTSB: Poor Communication Leads to Bridge Damage in Louisiana
Poor communication led to a tow striking a railway swing bridge near Slidell, Louisiana, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.
On Jan. 12, 2021, an empty hopper barge being pushed by the towing vessel Robert Cenac struck the CSX Rigolets railway swing bridge while it was opening. The bridge sustained damage estimated at $1.1 million and the barge sustained minor damage estimated at $5,000.
No injuries or pollution were reported.
In its Marine Investigation Report 22/01, the NTSB indicated that the pilot of the Robert Cenac called the bridge operator around 10:31 p.m. to request the bridge to be opened. The bridge operator informed the pilot two trains had to pass first before he would be able to open the bridge, which normally took about 12 minutes to open fully. The Robert Cenac held about 1.5 miles from the bridge awaiting further communication from the bridge operator, while the second train cleared the bridge at 11:34 p.m.
As the captain began his approach to the bridge at 11:48 p.m. The captain told investigators that by the time he noticed the bridge was not fully open, the tow was too close to stop. Investigators determined the bridge operator did not immediately open the bridge after the second train had passed.
Investigators found neither the captain nor the bridge operator confirmed the status of the bridge opening with one another, and their accounts of communication surrounding the accident differed. But because there were no audio recordings or witnesses to the communications, investigators were not able to confirm the accuracy of the statements.
In addition, investigators found the swing span of the bridge was not fitted with any navigational lighting, as required by regulation, to indicate that it was in the open or closed position nor were navigational lights located at the end of the fenders protecting the bridge piers, also required by regulations.
The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident was the poor communication between the bridge operator and vessel operator. Contributing to the accident was the absence of bridge span navigational lighting that would have provided the vessel operator with a visual indication of the bridge’s opening status.
“Communication between drawbridge operators and vessel operators requesting bridge openings must be clear,” the report said. “Commonly used in all modes of transportation, closed loop communication, in which the sender confirms the message is understood or provides additional information or clarification, ensures the receiver understands the message.”
The U.S. Coast Guard and the crew of the orange juice tanker Orange Ocean successfully rescued a solo sailor in distress 420 miles north of Puerto Rico on Friday. Kirill Vladimirovich...
A crude oil tanker and one of the world’s largest containerships collided early Tuesday, December 3, in the Strait of Gibraltar. The accident involved the crude oil tanker Gloria Maris,...
The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its extensive 24-hour search for five missing people after their vessel, the Wind Walker, capsized near Couverden Point, Alaska. “We stand in sorrow and...
December 3, 2024
Total Views: 1855
Why Join the gCaptain Club?
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.