On September 8, 2019, the towing vessel Savage Voyager and its tow of two loaded tank barges were engaged in southbound locking operations at the Jamie Whitten Lock & Dam on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, 6 miles from Dennis, Mississippi. After lock operations began, the bow of barge PBL 3422 contacted the lock’s upper gate sill and was hung up as the water level dropped, resulting in hull failure and a cargo tank breach. About 117,030 gallons (2,786 barrels) of crude oil were released into the lock. No injuries were reported. The damaged barge cost $402,294 to repair, and costs to return the lock to service 18 days later were about $4 million.
The probable cause of the contact of the Savage Voyager’s tow with the Jamie Whitten Lock & Dam was the tow moving out of position in the lock chamber while locking down when the crew did not effectively monitor and maintain the vessel’s position during its descent, resulting in the aft barge becoming hung on the upper gate miter sill.
Vigilance During Lock Operations
Although locking operations can seem routine, the margins for safety are frequently low. Maintaining vessel position and communication with the lock operator are critical practices to ensure safe lockage. Crews should avoid complacency and vigilantly monitor lines at all timesto prevent “running” in a lock.
