Classification
- Incident Type: Collision
- Severity: Medium
- Classification basis: The NTSB record documents a collision, fire, cargo contamination, and USD 3,265,000 in total damage including oil-spill cleanup.
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Mr Pete |
| Vessel Names | Mr Pete / Pina / ACO 121B |
| Vessel Type | Tug |
| Flag State | |
| IMO Number | |
| Gross Tonnage | |
| LOA (m) | |
| Breadth (m) | |
| Bollard Pull (t) | |
| Power (kW) | |
| Owner/Operator | |
| Year Built | |
| Crew Size |
The NTSB records identify Mr Pete as a towboat, Pina as a Liberian tankship, and ACO 121B as a barge. Additional Mr Pete particulars remain unconfirmed.
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 1979-12-19 |
| Location | Mile 99.3, Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Coordinates | 29.9500, -90.0700 |
| Region | United States |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Cargo Loss | Slop oil spill and cargo contamination |
| Direct Damage | Pina fire and hull damage; burning oil contaminated cargo on Mr Pete's lead barge and ACO 121B; oil-spill cleanup. |
| Economic Damage | USD 3,265,000 |
| Insured Loss | |
| Salvage/Cleanup Cost | Included in total damage estimate |
Key facts
- The collision occurred at about 2058 CST on 1979-12-19 near mile 99.3 of the Mississippi River at New Orleans.
- Slop oil from Pina's No. 1 port wing tank spilled into the river, ignited, and set fire to Pina's port side.
- Burning oil affected Mr Pete's lead barge and ACO 121B, contaminating cargo.
- The NTSB estimated total damage, including oil-spill cleanup, at USD 3,265,000.
- The NTSB identified an improper starboard-to-starboard meeting by Mr Pete's operator as the probable cause.
Narrative
At about 2058 CST on 19 December 1979, Pina and Mr Pete with its tow collided near mile 99.3 of the Mississippi River at New Orleans. Slop oil from Pina's No. 1 port wing tank spilled into the river and ignited, setting fire to Pina's port side. Burning oil spilled on Mr Pete's lead barge and contaminated cargo. Pina was then maneuvered to the west bank, where it collided with ACO 121B; burning oil also affected that barge and its cargo.
The NTSB determined that Mr Pete's unlicensed operator attempted an improper starboard-to-starboard meeting with Pina, putting the towboat in the path of the approaching tankship. The Board also identified deficient barge navigation lights, failure to establish a passing agreement, and failure to take timely action after unsuccessful radio communications as contributing factors. The official recommendation letter states that the lead-barge lights were grossly deficient and concludes that the collision probably would not have occurred if Mr Pete had been controlled by a licensed towboat operator.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1979-12-19 20:58 CST | Pina and Mr Pete with its tow collided near mile 99.3 of the Mississippi River. |
| 1979-12-19 | Slop oil spilled and ignited; burning oil affected Pina, Mr Pete's lead barge, and ACO 121B. |
| 1979-12-19 | Pina was maneuvered to the west bank and subsequently collided with ACO 121B. |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Improper starboard-to-starboard meeting | Confirmed finding | The NTSB identified Mr Pete's attempt to pass starboard-to-starboard as the probable cause. |
| Unlicensed towboat operator | Confirmed finding | The NTSB linked the accident to operation by an unlicensed operator and recommended licensed personnel for inland towboats. |
| Deficient barge navigation lights | Confirmed finding | The NTSB found lights similar to those on the lead barge grossly deficient in intensity. |
| Failed passing agreement and delayed action | Confirmed finding | The NTSB cited failure to establish a passing agreement and take timely action after unsuccessful radio communications. |
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the casualty under Marine Accident Report NTSB-MAR-80-17. Its recommendation letter M-80-100 and M-80-101 records the probable-cause conclusion, the navigation-light findings, and recommendations for licensed inland towboat operators and compliant barge lights.