Towing Vessel Accident Linked to Pilot Fatigue, NTSB Reports

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that fatigue was the primary cause of a towing vessel accident near Saint Rose, Louisiana, last year. The incident, which occurred on September 12, 2023, involved the vessel John 3:16 striking a pier on the Lower Mississippi River.

According to the NTSB investigation, the pilot had less than two hours of continuous sleep before taking watch and likely received less than five hours of sleep combined over the two days preceding the accident.

The report highlights the dangers of sleep deprivation, stating that even a two-hour sleep deficit can lead to decreased attention, slower reaction times, and poor decision-making.

The pilot was 14 days into a 28-day hitich, working a midnight to noon watch schedule. Though he usually managed on five hours of sleep, he had gotten only three hours each night for the two nights preceding the incident. However, the pilot told investigators that he didn’t feel tired when he started his watch at midnight on the day of the accident.

Fatigue frequently plays a significant role in marine casualties investigated by the NTSB.

“Fatigue affects all aspects of human performance, including decision-making, alertness, and reaction time, all of which affect a mariner’s ability to safely navigate a vessel,” investigators said. “Mariners should understand the performance effects of sleep loss and recognize the dangers of working on board a vessel while fatigued.”

Adults generally need eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per day to prevent fatigue-related performance issues.

“Obtaining quality, uninterrupted sleep on board a vessel is often challenging due to shipboard environmental factors and external distractions such as cell phones,” investigators said. “It is important that mariners get enough sleep during each off-watch period, so they remain alert when assuming watch.”

The accident resulted in significant damage, with the final repair costs for the towing vessel and pier totaling $285,441.

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