NTSB -- MATE'S DISTRACTION LEAD TO FATAL 2010 "DUCK BOAT" ACCIDENT

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2011

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MATE'S DISTRACTION LEAD TO FATAL 2010 "DUCK BOAT" ACCIDENT

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today

determined that the mate operating a tugboat near

Philadelphia on July 7, 2010, failed to maintain a proper

lookout while towing a barge up the Delaware River. The

investigation revealed that the mate was inattentive to his

duties while navigating the vessel because he was distracted

by his repeated use of a cell phone and lap top computer

while communicating with his family who were dealing with a

family emergency. Further, rather than being in the upper

wheel house as expected, the tugboat mate was navigating

from its lower wheel house where visibility of the channel

ahead was limited.

"This is yet another example of the deadliness of

distractions," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman.

"Distraction is a safety concern across all modes of

transportation. Regardless of the reason, it's not okay to

multi-task while operating a vehicle - whether it's calling,

texting, or surfing the web."

The accident, which occurred at approximately 2:37 pm,

involved an empty 250-foot-long sludge barge, The Resource,

that was being towed alongside a 78.9-foot long tugboat, the

Caribbean Sea. The barge collided with the DUKW 34, an

anchored amphibious passenger vehicle, which sank in

approximately 55 feet of water. There were 35 passengers and

two crew members onboard the DUKW 34 and five crew members

onboard the Caribbean Sea. Two DUKW 34 passengers were

killed; 26 passengers and one crewmember suffered minor

injuries. No one on board the Caribbean Sea was injured.

The investigation also revealed that maintenance personnel

from Ride The Ducks International, LLC, the DUKW 34 owner

and operator, did not ensure that the surge tank pressure

cap was securely in place before returning the vehicle to

passenger service. This allowed the engine to overheat,

leading the DUKW 34 master to stop the vessel and anchor in

an active channel.

Further, NTSB investigators found that while Ride The Ducks

International, LLC, had written procedures for safe

operational practices and emergency situations, the master

of DUKW 34 did not take all actions appropriate to address

the risk of anchoring in an active navigation channel. The

NTSB determined these omissions contributed to the accident.

The NTSB issued recommendations to both Ride The Ducks

International, LLC, and K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P.,

to review its management program and develop improved means

to ensure that the company's safety and emergency procedures

are understood and heeded by all employees in safety-

critical positions. The NTSB also issued recommendations to

the U.S. Coast Guard to increase focus on and oversight of

inappropriate use of cell phones and other wireless

electronic devices by on-duty crewmembers in safety-critical

positions so that such use does not affect vessel

operational safety. Additionally, the NTSB issued a

recommendation to the American Waterways Operators to

encourage their members to ensure that their safety and

emergency procedures are understood and adhered to by their

employees in safety-critical positions.

A synopsis of the NTSB report, including the probable cause,

findings, and safety recommendations, is available at:

http://go.usa.gov/WAJ.

The full report will be available on the website in several

weeks.

Media Contact:

Keith Holloway

202-314-6100

hollowk@xxxxxxxx

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