Ramifications from an investigation into a fatal ATB accident will drive newbuild investment and change survey practices
Ramifications from an investigation into a fatal ATB accident will drive newbuild investment and change survey practices
A report into a fatal maritime accident on an articulated tug-barge (ATB) unit earlier in May questioned the integrity of the ATB industry, class and regulator.
Its conclusions and recommendations will fundamentally change US ATB operations, inspection and maintenance.
The lessons from the accident have forced class to enhance survey programmes, build closer ties with the US Coast Guard (USCG) and are helping to boost investment in ATB newbuildings.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) criticised the USCG, classification society ABS and owner Bouchard Transportation in its report into the fire on ATB Barge No 255.
Two crew members were killed by an explosion and fire on the barge when it was attached to tug Buster Bouchard at anchorage outside the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas, in October 2017. This resulted in an oil slick and more than US$5M in damage to the barge, which was scrapped after the accident.
The NTSB said crude oil leaked through a corroded bulkhead from the cargo tank to a fore void space, where vapours from the oil ignited and caused the fire. Quite extraordinarily, the corrosion was missed in inspections by the owner as well as class and USCG surveyors.
The tragic accident claimed lives, did environmental damage, and it left a black mark on the ATB industry’s reputation.
In the time since the accident occurred, Bouchard has said its management places high importance on the safety of its workforce. Bouchard’s president and chief executive Morton Bouchard III told Tug Technology and Business in October 2018 that the company’s safety and vetting procedures "enable more efficient operations and limit risk by providing environmental protection and a safe work environment for our crew”.
These words indicate Bouchard intends to take measures to prevent another Barge No 255 accident, and Bouchard also provided us with a statement following publication of the report, suggesting lessons were learnt and changes would be made.
Changes and improvements are an absolute necessity after an accident like this, particularly as the NTSB report slammed Bouchard’s safety management and maintenance processes.
However, Bouchard did not agree with all of the report findings, which means arguments over causal factors of this accident will continue for many more months.
ABS also questioned several of the report’s findings, in particular, criticism of its survey programme in a statement to TTB.
Even so, ABS told me it was enhancing its survey programme and collaborating more closely with the USCG, as recommended by NTSB. The USCG continues its own investigation into the Barge No 255 accident and its findings may, or may not, corroborate those of the NTSB.
Regardless of the reports’ outcomes, it is critical for ATB owners to ensure maintenance and vetting procedures take into account the risks posed by corroded structures and change them if they do not. ABS and USCG also need to make amendments to survey procedures to ensure reliable identification of unsafe vessel structures.
It is pointless to put the changes off, given how likely it is that the incident will result in tougher rules on integrity assurance in the future and wider regulatory ramifications for the tug industry.
In the longer term, owners will be forced to modernise ATB fleets as maintenance and upgrades to comply with regulations becomes too costly on ageing vessels. Charterers will also demand improvements and quality ATBs. Some owners, including Bouchard, have already taken on new ATBs. You can find a summary of fleet upgrades in the latest issue of Tug Technology & Business.
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