NTSB -- NTSB ISSUES UPDATE ON ITS INVESTIGATION OF TOUR BOAT COLLISION IN PHILADELPHIA

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NTSB ADVISORY

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

July 12, 2010

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NTSB ISSUES UPDATE ON ITS INVESTIGATION OF TOUR BOAT

COLLISION IN PHILADELPHIA

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In its continuing investigation of a collision involving

a barge and an amphibious passenger vessel, the National

Transportation Safety Board has developed the following

factual information:

On Wednesday July 7, 2010, about 2:36 pm, the 250-foot long

empty sludge barge The Resource, which was being towed

alongside by the 75.5 foot-long towing vessel M/V Caribbean

Sea, collided with the anchored amphibious small passenger

vessel the DUKW 34 in the Delaware River, near Philadelphia,

PA. On board the DUKW 34 were 35 passengers and two

crewmembers, and on board the Caribbean Sea were five

crewmembers.

About 5 to 10 minutes before the accident, the DUKW 34 was

northbound in the river and experienced a mechanical problem

that led the master to anchor his vessel. At that time, the

DUKW 34 was on its normal route about 150 feet from shore

and within the Delaware River Channel (navigation channel).

The Caribbean Sea was also northbound in the Delaware River

Channel traveling about 5 knots. The bow of the barge The

Resource struck the stern of the DUKW 34, which resulted in

the DUKW 34 sinking in about 55 feet of water. As a result

of the accident, two passengers on the DUKW 34 were fatally

injured and 10 passengers suffered minor injuries.

The crew of the DUKW 34, a master and a deckhand, were

interviewed on July 9th. They told investigators that their

radio calls to the Caribbean Sea received no response. The

NTSB has also interviewed the operators of several vessels

in the area at the time of the accident, and they stated

that they recalled hearing the DUKW 34's radio calls on

channel 13. Although not all radio channels are recorded,

the NTSB is attempting to verify this information.

The crew of the Caribbean Sea consisted of a master, a mate,

an engineer, and two deckhands. Except for the mate and a

deckhand who was asleep at the time of the accident, the

NTSB interviewed the crew of the Caribbean Sea on July 10th.

When the NTSB sought to interview the mate, he exercised his

Fifth Amendment right and refused to meet with

investigators.

Investigators are continuing to examine and document the

structural damage of both vessels and will attempt to

determine the nature of the mechanical problem that affected

the DUKW 34 before the accident. Investigators have

collected photographs and video that may provide further

information regarding the accident sequence and will be

working to develop a chronology of events leading up to the

accident. The Caribbean Sea's GPS and electronic chart

navigation devices were removed from the vessel and taken to

NTSB Headquarters for analysis.

The NTSB is coordinating and working closely with the Coast

Guard during this investigation. The NTSB also acknowledges

the continued support and cooperation of the other parties

involved, including Ride the Ducks of Philadelphia and K-Sea

Transportation.

The NTSB's investigation continues.

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NTSB Media Contact: Keith Holloway, (202)-314-6100

hollow@xxxxxxxx

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