NTSB

gCaptain’s full coverage of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), including maritime accident reports, investigation updates, and marine casualty hearings.


Friday, September 8, 2023
The towing vessel Karen Koby and crane barge Ambition are pictured before the capsizing and sinking. Source: LA Carriers and Rigid Constructors via NTSB
Accidents

NTSB: Lack of Hull Inspection and Maintenance Caused Crane Barge to Capsize and Sink

The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that the capsizing and sinking of the crane barge Ambition in the Gulf of Mexico was caused by the

September 8, 2023
Total Views: 6001

Thursday, August 31, 2023
The commercial dive boat Conception at sunrise prior to sinking, September 2, 2019. (Source: Ventura County Fire Department)
Accidents

NTSB Urges Coast Guard to Act on Passenger Vessel Safety Recommendation

The National Transportation Safety Board is renewing its call for the U.S. Coast Guard to strengthen passenger vessel safety in response to 2019 fire aboard

August 31, 2023
Total Views: 4834

Thursday, August 17, 2023
Damage to the M/V AP Revelin's port quarter. Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard
Accidents

False Alarm Led to Propulsion Loss and Collision Between Cargo Ships in Sabine Pass

A collision between two cargo ships near Port Arthur, Texas last year was caused by a loss of propulsion resulting from a false alarm, the National

August 17, 2023
Total Views: 20411

Wednesday, July 26, 2023
The George M after the collision
Accidents

Excessive Speed Caused Tug and Containership Collision in Houston Ship Channel -NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has found that excessive speed during a harbor-assist maneuver caused a tugboat to collide with a containership

July 26, 2023
Total Views: 4037

Wednesday, July 12, 2023
NTSB Report Highlights the Peril of Doubler-Plated Hull Repairs
Accidents

NTSB Report Highlights the Peril of Doubler-Plated Hull Repairs

The use of doubler plating in the repair of an uninspected fishing vessel’s hull eventually led to its sinking off Gloucester, Massachusetts, last year.

July 12, 2023
Total Views: 4059

Thursday, June 29, 2023
NTSB Determines Cause of Towing Vessel Fire on Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
Accidents

NTSB Determines Cause of Towing Vessel Fire on Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

Cracks in a muffler and the use of combustible materials in accommodation spaces caused a fire on a towing vessel last year on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

June 29, 2023
Total Views: 3862

Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Combustion of Oily Rags Causes $1.5 Million Yacht Fire
Accidents

Combustion of Oily Rags Causes $1.5 Million Yacht Fire

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its report into a fire on board the private yacht Pegasus in Gig Harbor, Washington last year. The report

June 20, 2023
Total Views: 4805

Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Radiance of the Seas. (Source: NTSB)
Accidents

Cruise Ship Crew Relied on Outdated Chart Before Striking Pier in Alaska

Overreliance on an electronic chart, miscommunication and an outdated navigational chart were all factors in a cruise ship damaging a cruise terminal pier last

June 13, 2023
Total Views: 34755

Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Distracted Watch Officers Led to Collision, NTSB Finds
Accidents

Distracted Watch Officers Led to Collision, NTSB Finds

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation has revealed that the bridge watch officers on a bulk carrier and an offshore supply vessel failed to

June 6, 2023
Total Views: 17582

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Wrong Sized Bearing Caused Engine Failure and Fire on Offshore Supply Vessel
Accidents

Wrong Sized Bearing Caused Engine Failure and Fire on Offshore Supply Vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined an improperly sized bearing resulting in an engine failure and subsequent fire on board an

May 24, 2023
Total Views: 6849

Friday, May 5, 2023
NTSB Warns of Potential Fire Risks for Vessels Carrying Scrap Materials
Accidents

NTSB Warns of Potential Fire Risks for Vessels Carrying Scrap Materials

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a warning on Thursday that lithium-ion batteries and other possible ignition sources could pose a fire

May 5, 2023
Total Views: 2692

Monday, March 27, 2023
Incorrect Crane Height Estimate Causes $2 Million in Damages to Bridge
Accidents

Incorrect Crane Height Estimate Causes $2 Million in Damages to Bridge

A $2 million blunder was the result of an incorrect estimate of a crane’s boom height, leading to a collision with the Houma Twin Span Bridge, according

March 27, 2023
Total Views: 18768

Friday, March 17, 2023
Deteriorated Bollard Causes Multi-Million Dollar Drillship Collision in Mississippi
Accidents

Deteriorated Bollard Causes Multi-Million Dollar Drillship Collision in Mississippi

Last year, a drillship collided with a cargo vessel in Pascagoula, Mississippi, causing nearly $5 million in damages. The cause of the collision was found to

March 17, 2023
Total Views: 11855

Monday, February 27, 2023
Towing Vessel Pilot Likely Impaired by Fatigue or Drug Use During Bridge Strike, NTSB Says
Accidents

Towing Vessel Pilot Likely Impaired by Fatigue or Drug Use During Bridge Strike, NTSB Says

The National Transportation Safety Board says a towing vessel’s pilot was likely impaired by fatigue or drug use when his tow struck and damaged a bridge

February 27, 2023
Total Views: 11183

Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Hot Work Sparked Engine Room Fire, NTSB Determines
Accidents

Hot Work Sparked Engine Room Fire, NTSB Determines

Combustible materials left unprotected near hot work led to an engine room fire on a passenger vessel in New Orleans, the National Transportation Safety Board

February 15, 2023
Total Views: 8600

Friday, February 3, 2023
United States Coast Guard officer with his back turned
Accidents

U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB Head to Argentina to Investigate String of Antarctic Expedition Cruise Accidents

U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board teams have been sent to Argentina to help investigate a string of incidents involving the death and

February 3, 2023
Total Views: 5956

Thursday, January 26, 2023
Crew Fatigue Led to OSV Striking Production Platform in Gulf of Mexico
Accidents

Crew Fatigue Led to OSV Striking Production Platform in Gulf of Mexico

A company not adhering to their 12-hour work limit led to an offshore supply vessel striking an oil and gas production platform in the Gulf of Mexico last

January 26, 2023
Total Views: 2983

Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Inadequate Lookouts Led to Collision Between Superyacht and Tanker in the Bahamas
Accidents

Inadequate Lookouts Led to Collision Between Superyacht and Tanker in the Bahamas

Two crews not maintaining proper lookouts led to the December 2021 collision between a superyacht and a tanker near Nassau, Bahamas, the National

January 11, 2023
Total Views: 12477

Friday, December 23, 2022
duck boat tragedy
Accidents

Defense Spending Bill Includes ‘Duck Boat’ Safety Improvements

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy welcomed much-needed maritime safety improvements included as provisions in the $858 billion annual

December 23, 2022
Total Views: 2213

Friday, November 18, 2022
Electrical Genset Failure Led to Towing Vessel’s Loss of Steering and Grounding -NTSB
Accidents

Electrical Genset Failure Led to Towing Vessel’s Loss of Steering and Grounding -NTSB

An electrical generator set (genset) failure and subsequent loss of steering led to the grounding of a towing vessel near Greenville, Mississippi, the National

November 18, 2022
Total Views: 3899