Vessel William B Klunk underway before the accident.

 William B Klunk underway at unknown date before the collision. (Source: American Commercial Barge Line) 

Collision of William B Klunk Tow with Moored Barges

What Happened

​On April 17, 2024, about 1655 local time, the towing vessel William B Klunk was pushing 22 barges downbound on the Lower Mississippi River at mile 227, near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when the tow collided with moored barges at a fleeting area. Thirteen barges broke away from the William B Klunk tow, and three barges broke away from the fleeting area, resulting in damage to the barges, a fleet crew boat, and two mooring dolphins. There was one minor injury, and no pollution was reported. Total damages were estimated to be $810,000.

What We Found

​We determined that the probable cause of the collision of the towing vessel William B Klunk and tow with moored barges was the William B Klunk pilot becoming distracted due to cell phone use in the minutes leading up to the collision. Contributing was the pilot’s fatigue due to limited sleep the night before the casualty, which decreased his attentiveness and vigilance while operating the vessel.

What We Recommended

​Distraction due to Cell Phones

Use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices by on-duty crewmembers in safety-critical positions has been a factor in casualties and accidents in all transportation modes. Using cell phones can be visually, manually, and cognitively distracting. Use of cell phones, including company cell phones (particularly for nonoperational conversations), should never interfere with a watchstander’s primary task to safely navigate a vessel and maintain a proper lookout. To reduce the risk of cell phone distraction, operating companies should establish protocols regarding both personal and work-related cell phone use, and vessel personnel should understand the importance in following them.

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