FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 1998; SB-98-26

NTSB TO HOLD HEARING ON ST. LOUIS HARBOR ACCIDENT

Washington, D.C. - As part of its investigation of an accident involving The Admiral, a gaming vessel moored in the St. Louis Harbor, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a two-day public hearing on July 23 and 24, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri.

The NTSB hearing will convene at 9:00 a.m. on July 23, 1998, at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, 4^th & Chestnut Streets, St. Louis, Missouri. Telephone 314-241-7400.

On April 4, 1998, barges in the tow of The Anne Holly, a towboat working in the river, rammed the Missouri Pier of the center span of the Eads Bridge. Eight barges, each about 195 feet long and 35 feet wide, broke away. The Admiral, a former excursion vessel that had been converted into a gaming vessel, was struck by barges that broke loose from the tow. Nine of The Admiral’s 10 mooring lines broke loose from its mooring. Approximately 2,300 persons were aboard the vessel at the time of the accident. The vessel swung around in the river until the operator of the Anne Holly positioned his boat on the bow of The Admiral and held it in place. Following the accident, two passenger boats had to be used to transport more than 1,700 passengers to shore. There were 31 reported injuries.

The Admiral is considered a floating structure that must meet City of St. Louis fire safety and other codes applicable to buildings. During the hearing, the Safety Board will address safety issues identified during the accident including, the adequacy of federal, state and local government oversight of gaming vessels and permanently moored public waterfront facilities (casinos and restaurants); port emergency preparedness; and other factors affecting navigation safety on the river.

"Unlike Coast Guard inspected passenger vessels, permanently moored facilities like The Admiral are not regulated by the Coast Guard and the requirements for emergency drills are less vigorous," said NTSB’s Vice-Chairman Robert T. Francis II, who will chair the hearing. "We will explore the level of safety oversight exercised over these vessels."

The Safety Board has had a long term interest in the safety of passengers on vessels on inland waterways. Earlier this year, the Safety Board completed its investigation of an accident involving the Liberian freighter the Bright Field, which resulted in 67 injuries and extensive damage to shore-side facilities. While transiting the Lower Mississippi River, the Bright Field temporarily lost propulsion power. As the ship headed downstream toward several passenger vessels, including a gaming vessel moored along the river, passengers aboard the gaming vessel were instructed to evacuate immediately. During the investigation of the accident, the Board learned that there were limited means of egress, several passengers were not issued life lifejackets and passengers commented that crew members were not prepared for an emergency of this type. During the investigation, the Safety Board examined port risk assessment and other issues affecting navigation safety on the Lower Mississippi River and made recommendations to several parties.

During the hearing in St. Louis, the Board will gather information to assist in the development of recommendations to ensure passenger safety in U.S. inland waters.

The NTSB is an independent federal agency empowered by Congress to determine the probable cause of transportation accidents and to make recommendations to improve safety.

Media contact: Terry N. Williams (202) 314-6100