On May 22, 2024, about 1024 local time, the fishing vessel Kathleen K was transiting from its berth to a fuel dock in Salmon Bay, Seattle, Washington. While en route, the vessel lost engine control and subsequently collided with recreational vessels moored at a marina. A light oil sheen was observed in the water near the marina docks. There were no injuries. Damages to the moored vessels and the docks were estimated to exceed $500,000.
We determined that the probable cause of the collision of the fishing vessel Kathleen K with recreational vessels moored at a marina was the loss of directional control to one of the Kathleen K’s propulsion engines due to the disconnection of its transmission linkage, likely because the linkage’s ball and socket joint was not fully reconnected after maintenance.
