NTSB Issues Report on Barge Incident

by | Nov 13, 2020 | Maritime Law

The National Transportation Safety Board has released an investigative report on the November, 2019 incident when a barge struck the James T. Wilson Fishing Pier in Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, Virginia.  The YD 71 barge broke free from its moorings and struck the pier, causing over $1,200,000 in damage.  The deck barge was owned by Coastal Design & Construction Inc.

The NTSB’s report the cause of the incident:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the contact between the barge YD 71 and the James T. Wilson Fishing Pier was a shackle pin in the mooring arrangement working itself free in heavy weather, leading to the barge’s uncontrolled drift.

The report also recommended regular mooring maintenance so incidents like this do not occur:

Moorings for vessels can be single-point failures that can lead to losses for both vessels and nearby infrastructure. Operators should identify failure modes of mooring arrangements and implement controls, including more frequent inspections if necessary, to avoid accidents.

Our attorneys have extensive experience in maritime injury and wrongful death litigation in courts across the country and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives as a result of the negligence of another party, or been seriously injured.  We have handled numerous cases involving injuries that occurred on barges.  The experienced vessel accident attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of a maritime accident.  Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or 877-678-5864 to learn more about your legal rights.