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Report: Captain of tug distracted by cell phone ahead of collision with Clara B
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a final report regarding the collision of the 'Patrick J. Stuggert' with the bulk carrier 'Clara B' on the Lower Mississippi River on Dec 29, 2024. At 6:10, the tug was moored at Magnolia Fleet 122 docks while taking on fuel. Five crewmembers were on board as the vessel prepared to return to its moored barges located across the river. At 7:29, p.m. the bulk carrier transited upriver under the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge at a speed of 8.1 knots. A pilot from the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilot Association had the conn alongside a pilot-in-training and the ship's Chief Officer. The 'Patrick J Studdert' got underway at 7:32:03 p.m. and proceeded directly across the channel toward the fleeting area. The 'Clara B' maneuvered towards the right descending side of the channel to pass another downbound tow. The pilot aboard the bulk carrier spotted the tug at 7:33:32 p.m. and attempted to hail the vessel over VHF radio, without receiving a response. Recognising a danger of collision, the pilot requested the bridge crew sound the danger signal and ordered the rudder to starboard. The ship's whistle sounded 32 seconds after the initial request, which was only moments before the collision at 7:34:27 p.m. The bow of the 'Clara B' struck the starboard quarter of the 'Patrick J Studdert' about 380 feet from the docks. Immediately following the impact, the tug listed to port side and began to flood. It sank in approximately 96 feet of water, forcing all crew members into the river. Four of them sustained minor injuries and were rescued by the nearby tug 'Mary Moran' using a recovery pole. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the collision was the tug captain’s distraction due to cell phone use. Records indicated the captain was on a voice call from 7:31 p.m. until 7:35 p.m., which resulted in him failing to maintain a proper lookout. The NTSB noted that the 'Clara B' was visible in the darkness and could have been identified on radar. The investigators concluded that the captain's nonoperational use of a personal electronic device led to a lack of situational awareness during the transit. The 'Patrick J Studdert' was considered a total loss valued at over $2.3 million. The 'Clara B', operated by Blumenthal Asia, sustained minor hull damage estimated at $250,000 to repair. A visible oil sheen was reported downriver following the sinking of the tug, which had 109,777 litres of fuel on board. The NTSB remarked that personal electronic devices should never interfere with the primary task of a watchstander to maintain safety.
Tug sank after collision with bulk carrier
Five people have been rescued from the Mississippi after the tug 'Patrick J Studdert' (MMSI: 367534690) was in collision with the 'Clara B', sailing northbound on the river ,en route from Istanbul to Baton Rouge, on Dec 31, 2024, at around 7:41 p.m. near the Hale Boggs Bridge. The tug sank in a stretch of river 90 feet deep near Luling, Louisiana. The five crew members who were rescued were sent to the hospital to be checked out. The bulk carrier anchored in pos. 29° 60' N 090° 26' W. The river was closed for approximately three hours but traffic has resumed. The Coast Guard was working with state and local authorities. After the collision, a small amount of diesel fuel leaked into the river, creating a sheen on the water. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality did flyovers to check for pollution and found the sheen but no major fuel spill.
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