INLAND WATERWAYS
NTSB Issues Report on Fatal Double Towboat Collision
T
he lack of accurate tow size information and two pilots’ insufficient radio communication are the probably cause of a fatal collision between two towboats on the Lower Mississippi River near Destrehan, La., according to a National Transportation Safety Board Marine Accident Brief released Thursday. The accident brief details the NTSB’s investigation of the January 26, 2020, collision of the towing vessels Cooperative Spirit and RC Creppel. The RC Creppel, which capsized in the accident, had four crewmembers aboard— one was rescued and three others were never found. The accident resulted in a breakaway of a combined 42 barges from both tows, the discharge of approximately 8,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the river and the release of sulfuric acid vapors into the atmosphere. The collision resulted in an estimated $3 million in property damage to three vessels and 11 barges. The RC Creppel was not recovered. The Cooperative Spirit was towing 40 barges upriver, and the RC Creppel was towing two barges downriver. The Cooperative Spirit pilot and the RC Creppel pilot agreed to a port-to-port meeting. The RC Creppel pilot communicated the size of his tow; the 4 Marine Log // September 2021
Cooperative Spirit pilot did not. The barges of the towing vessels collided around Mile 26. As a result of the impact, the RC Creppel capsized and sank. An upbound dry-bulk carrier, the Glory First, collided with the starboard side of the Cooperative Spirit’s tow.
Probable Cause The NTSB determined the probable cause of the collision of the Cooperative Spirit and RC Creppel was the two pilots’ insufficient radio communication before meeting in a bend and not broadcasting accurate Automatic Identification System (AIS) information regarding tow size. In its report, the NTSB said a radio call to the other vessel would have helped both pilots identify each other’s expectations, but neither pilot made a radio call after their initial call to arrange a meeting. The absence of a radio call or “danger” signal indicates that neither pilot was aware of the impending collision. “When meeting or overtaking a vessel in a bend, especially where high-water conditions can increase the risk of a collision, early and effective communication is critical to ensuring a successful meeting,” the report said. “The use of very high frequency radio can help to dispel
assumptions and provide bridge teams and towing vessel operators with the information needed to better assess each vessel’s intentions.” Neither the RC Creppel nor the Cooperative Spirit broadcast the total overall length of the vessels and their tows to other AIS users. The RC Creppel’s AIS broadcast showed its length at 69 feet rather than its actual overall length of 514 feet. The Cooperative Spirit’s AIS broadcast showed the length at 200 feet rather than its actual overall length of 1,600 feet. The vessels would have had an improved picture nearing each other if either’s AIS included the accurate size of the tows. The NTSB has previously noted the importance of ensuring that vessels engaged in towing operations broadcast accurate AIS information regarding tow size. “The overall dimensions of a vessel and its tow may change significantly with each transit,” the report said. “For vessels towing ahead or alongside, the dimensions in AIS should reflect the overall rectangular area of the vessel and its tow. Consistently entering the complete dimensions of a tow configuration into AIS for each transit helps to alleviate possible misinterpretation and thus enhances the situational awareness of all waterway users.”
Photo Credit: American River Transportation Company LLC, annotated by Christy Spangler, NTSB
Screenshot from the Rose Point electronic charting system display showing the Cooperative Spirit’s positions starting at 5:28 a.m. CST.
