The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a Marine Accident Brief about a February 15, 2019, accident involving the towboat Bettye M. Jenkins, which was pushing two loaded barges upbound on the Lower Mississippi River, 1.4 miles south of Vidalia, LA.
According to The Maritime Executive, while maneuvering across the river about two miles downriver of the Natchez Bridge, the lead barge, T9353, struck the Bunge grain facility pier and pilings.
The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the contact was the captain’s decision to attempt to pass ahead of an upbound tow, Clark Todd, while crossing a river in strong current during high-water conditions.
There were no injuries, but the pier sustained over $3 million in damages.
The report is available here.
