At 0250 local time on June 13, 2018, the inbound bulk carrier Yochow collided with the articulated tug and barge OSG Independence/OSG 243, which was moored at the TPC Group, Inc. facility on the Houston Ship Channel in Houston, Texas. OSG 243's tanks were empty and awaiting a cargo of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). As a result of the collision, two of the barge's tanks and Yochow's bulbous bow were holed, and the facility suffered extensive structural damage. There were no injuries among the crew of 18 on the Yochow or the 8 aboard the tug OSG Independence, nor was any pollution reported. Damage to the facility ($20 million), the barge ($1 million), and the bulk carrier ($338,000) amounted to an estimated $21,338,000.

​​The probable cause of the collision of the bulk carrier Yochow with the tank barge of the articulated tug and barge OSG Independence/OSG 243​ was the mate’s failure to effectively monitor the helmsman, contrary to the principles of good bridge resource management. Contributing to the accident was the lack of company and shipboard oversight to ensure crewmembers adhered to work/rest guidelines, resulting in fatigue of the helmsman.

​​Managing Fatigue

Fatigue impacts every aspect of human performance, including decision-making, reaction time, and comprehension, all of which affect seafarers’ ability to safely navigate. Having fatigued crewmembers in critical positions when navigating a busy channel increases the probability of errors that lead to incidents. Companies should include fatigue management procedures in their safety management systems and ensure compliance with applicable work/rest requirements.