Mobile phone, outdraft current and pilot error cause US$1.3M tow accident

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators discovered the pilot had no experience of navigating on the river and was texting on his personal phone when the accident occurred.

Towing vessel Amber Brittany was transiting the Ohio River on 8 March 2024, pushing 15 barges, when the tow struck the vane dike at the upstream end of the McAlpine Locks in Louisville, Kentucky.

In its accident report, the NTSB highlighted how the pilot on this towing vessel was inexperienced and inattentive to navigational challenges as investigators found a series of outgoing and incoming text messages on the personal mobile phone that coincided with Amber Brittany’s departure from the sailing line.

As the towing vessel made its port turn while passing under the L&I Railroad Bridge, the head of the tow entered the area of the canal where it was impacted by an outdraft current.

The tow broke apart and 10 barges floated down the river, resulting in an estimated US$1.3M in damage to the barges, cargo and dam gates.

“Using cell phones and other wireless electronic devices has been demonstrated to be visually, manually, and cognitively distracting,” said the NTSB in its accident report. “Talking on cell phones can have serious consequences in safety-critical situations, and sending or reading text messages is potentially even more distracting than talking because texting requires visual attention to the display screen of the device,” the safety board said.

“Mariners should avoid using mobile devices, especially while manoeuvring in unfamiliar areas of restricted navigation.”