On July 13, 2023, about 0130 local time, the towing vessel Duke departed the Texas International Terminal in Galveston, Texas, pushing two barges, when one of the barges in the tow contacted three power transmission poles near the Pelican Island Bridge, and the tug subsequently contacted the bridge. There were no injuries, and no pollution was reported. Damage to the vessels, power poles, and bridge was estimated at over $300,000.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the contact of the Duke tow with power transmission poles and the Pelican Island Bridge was the captain’s focus on staying clear of a nearby moored cargo vessel and not recognizing how close the tow was getting to the power poles and bridge.
