Image: NTSB
In its most current record including a crane barge mishap, the NTSB claims that a proprietor’s absence of assessment and also upkeep resulted in the capsizing and also sinking of a crane barge in 2014 in the Gulf of Mexico.
The crane barge Ambition was being hauled when it tipped over and also sank on June 15, 2022, launching an approximated 1,980 gallons of oil. No injuries were reported. The Ambition, possessed by Rigid Constructors, and also its crane were a failure approximated at $6.3 million.
The 195-foot-long by 70-foot-wide uninspected crane barge was created of bonded steel, with 2 potatos on the port side. It had a deepness of 10.5 feet, a raked bow, and also a square demanding. It was purpose-built by Diamond “B” Industries of New Iberia, Louisiana, to fit a crane by welding with each other 2 existing deck barges and also was supplied to Rigid Constructors in June 2020. The port barge, GD 962, was created in 1995, and also the starboard barge, GD 983, was created in 1998. Each of the barges, acquired by Rigid in March and also April 2020, had one longitudinal leak-proof bulkhead that ranged from the rake space bulkhead to the demanding space, in addition to 5 transverse leak-proof bulkheads.
Due to the elevation of the crane, the Ambitio n was being hauled offshore in the Gulf of Mexico to reach its location. However, the Ambition did not have a lots line certification, exception or classification for unique solution authorized or released by the united stateCoast Guard Before obtaining underway, a deckhand on the lugging vessel, the Karen Koby, possessed and also run by LA Carriers, performed an assessment of the barge, keeping in mind hatch cover gaskets were not in position and also not all the hatch cover lids were literally secured. At the very least 6 hatches were not covered or protected. He likewise kept in mind noticeable hull damages.
During a post-salvage assessment, detectives located a 25-foot-long splitting up along the weld joint in between the bilge knuckle and also lower plates. At some factor, a short-term repair service, including steel plates, had actually been made to the location around the splitting up to include water access. Based on the hull plating splitting up and also wastefulness on the indoor bulkheads, the NTSB established the bad hull problem was the root cause of the first flooding.
According to detectives, Rigid Constructors stopped working to perform irreversible repair services in a location essential to hull stamina, and also the splitting up in between the lower plating and also the bilge knuckle layering advanced past the momentary repair service.
The NTSB established the possible root cause of the capsizing and also sinking of the Ambition was the barge proprietor’s absence of hull assessment and also upkeep, and also not carrying out irreversible repair services, which led to the failing of the hull and also succeeding flooding.
“To protect vessels and the environment, it is good marine practice for vessel owners to conduct regular oversight and maintenance of hulls, including between dry dock periods,” the record stated. “An effective maintenance and hull inspection program should proactively address potential steel wastage, identify hull and watertight integrity deficiencies, and ensure corrosion issues are repaired in a timely manner by permanent means.”
