NTSB Cites Towboat Captain's Cellphone Use in $60 Million Accident

Federal investigators believe a towboat captain’s cell phone use was a key factor in chain of collisions last year on the Lower Mississippi River.

- Casey Conley

The towboat Loretta G. Cenac was falling back behind another towboat as the Greek-flagged bulk carrier Aris T approached at 1954 on Jan. 31. The ship missed the tow, but it struck several vessels and structures along the left descending bank. The incident at mile marker 125 near Norco, La., caused nearly $60 million in damage and injured two dock workers.

“Had the captain on the Loretta G. Cenac been focused on his navigational duties instead of on the communication with his girlfriend at 1947, the images on the vessel’s radar and electronic chart would likely have raised his awareness of the dangerous traffic situation that was developing,” the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident report said.

Investigators also found the Aris T pilot “had the opportunity as early as 1940 to identify the traffic situation developing upriver and assess the need for action on his part.”

The 753-foot bulker was heading upriver to a grain terminal with a New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association pilot on board. The weather was clear and cool, with a river current of 3 to 4 knots.

The ship cleared the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge in Luling, La., at 1928. Nine miles ahead, at mile marker 130, the 2,000-hp Loretta G. Cenac and the 3,150-hp towboat Elizabeth M. Robinson were pushing down river, each with three 300-foot loaded tank barges. Both tows were headed to nearby fleeting areas.

Loretta’s captain sought to overtake the other tow along a river section known as Thirty-Five Mile Point. Elizabeth’s captain declined the proposal but reconsidered a few minutes later and the two made passing arrangements, with Loretta to pass on Elizabeth’s port.