April 08, 2024
By Highpoint Digest News
Washington, DC – (Highpoint Digest) – On April 23, 2023, at about 10:42 pm local time,
the towing vessel Susan K was pushing 25 barges downbound on the Lower Mississippi River when the tow struck the center bridge pier on the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge, which connects the cities of
Natchez, Mississippi, and Vidalia, Louisiana.1 One barge sank, and two other barges
were damaged; the Susan K was undamaged. No pollution or injuries were reported.
Damage to the barges and cargo was estimated at $2 million.
At the time of the collision, the weather consisted of overcast skies, visibility was10 mi, winds were reported to be from the north at about 7 mph, air temperature 56°F.
What Was Found Out
The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the contact of the Susan K tow with the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge was the captain’s complacency, which resulted in his inattention to the tow’s position as it approached the bridge.
Fighting Complacency
Repetition and monotony can cause even the most experienced and skilled mariner to become complacent and lose situational awareness. Developing strategies that help maintain focus is a good practice. These strategies may include continuous scanning of instruments and surroundings outside the wheelhouse, strict adherence to procedures, eliminating distractions, changing position or moving (standing up or walking around), and getting enough sleep and exercise.
The investigation on the accident has now been completed by the NTSB
See the full report
Source: NTSB
Photo courtesy of TSB
