NTSB Cites 312′ Delta Mariner Wheelhouse Crew in 2012 Kentucky Bridge Accident

Posted in Kentucky Maritime News,Maritime Accidents on May 20, 2013

Federal investigators concluded that the 312′ Delta Mariner’s wheelhouse crew failed “to use all available navigation tools” to avoid hitting the poorly lit Eggner’s Ferry Bridge over the Tennessee River in Kentucky on Jan. 26, 2012, when the nighttime allision tore away a 322-foot span of the bridge including a portion of U.S. Highway 68 near Aurora, Ky.

Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday, May 15, that the crew of Foss Maritime Co.’s five-story high, 312′ cargo ship and the contract pilot focused on the bridge’s few lights “while ignoring readily available electronic charting system displays, which could have provided critical information about the vessel’s position.”

In an article at Workboat.com, an NTSB synopsis of its report also said Foss’ safety management system “was not effectively implemented … Due to the vessel’s good safety record and the company’s reliance on proactive safety measures and a crew of well-trained, experienced deep-sea mariners to provide a high level of safety, the company became complacent regarding the safety of the vessel’s operations.”

Blog post by maritime lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP