Bow-Tribute

The decision to overtake a tow in a large river bend occupied by multiple vessels during high-river conditions led to the grounding of the 'Bow Tribute' March 16, 2021, and contact with river intake fender systems in New Orleans, the National Transportation Safety Board said in its Marine Investigation Report 22/11 which details the NTSB’s investigation into the accident. The 'Bow Tribute' was transiting downbound in the Lower Mississippi River when the vessel grounded while attempting to overtake a two-barge tow in a river bend. No injuries or pollution were reported. Damages totaled over $1.9 million, including $986,400 in damages to the vessel and $926,100 in damages to the fender systems. On board the 'Bow Tribute' were a New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association (NOBRA) pilot and 27 crew members. Ahead of the tanker, also traveling downbound, was the 2,000-hp tug 'American Way', pushing two empty barges with a crew of four. The two pilots agreed the tanker would overtake the tow at Nine Mile Point, within the Carrollton Bend. There was additional traffic in the area of the American Way, including the downbound tug 'Capt. JW Banta', pushing two barges and the upbound bulk carrier 'Red Cosmos'. While rounding Nine Mile Point ahead of the 'Bow Tribute', the 'American Way' tow began to slide in the bend and into the path of the overtaking 'Bow Tribute'. The 'American Way'’s pilot could not maintain the tow’s position in the center of the river, nor power or steer it out of the slide in sufficient time to allow space for the 'Bow Tribute', which was traveling at double the speed of the 'American Way'. As the distance between the vessels continued narrowing, the NOBRA pilot steered the tanker clear of the American Way. The NOBRA pilot on the 'Bow Tribute' told investigators that he kept the vessel near the shoreline because he could no longer see the 'American Way' under the 'Bow Tribute'’s starboard bow. Shortly after, the tanker struck sequentially two spud barges that were part of a fender system protecting the river intake pipes. The NTSB determined the probable cause was the pilot’s decision to overtake a tow in a large river bend occupied by multiple vessels during high-river conditions with a strong following current. Contributing to the grounding was the ineffective communication between the pilot of the 'Bow Tribute' and the pilot of the 'American Way' regarding where the overtaking maneuver would occur. “Clear, effective, and unambiguous radio communications should be used, especially during high traffic and dynamic conditions such as overtaking in a bend,” the report said. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2211.pdf