What Happened
What Happened
On June 12, 2024, about 1530 local time, the towing vessel Cajole was upbound the Lower Mississippi River near Waggaman, Louisiana, when the vessel began flooding. The two crewmembers aboard attempted to pump out the vessel but were unsuccessful. They tied off to a nearby barge and evacuated to a Good Samaritan vessel. The Cajole later sank. There were no injuries, and a sheen was reported. Damage was estimated at $2 million.
What We Found
What We Found
We determined that the probable cause of the flooding and sinking of the towing vessel Cajole was likely a compromised flush-mounted access hatch, which allowed water to flood into a forward void space, and unsealed penetrations in a transverse bulkhead, which allowed for progressive flooding aft into the engine room.
What We Recommended
Sealing Watertight Bulkhead Penetrations
For the safety of a vessel and all on board, the integrity of the hull and watertight bulkheads must be maintained, and any deficiencies must be appropriately addressed. Issues with watertight integrity, including unsealed watertight bulkhead and deck penetrations and deck and hull plate wastage, need to be addressed by permanent means. The Coast Guard advises, “Ensure electrical cables and conduits, piping runs, remote valve actuators, and other components that penetrate watertight bulkheads, decks, and compartments are inspected frequently and properly maintained. Each may have a unique sealing method involving glands with packing assemblies, penetration seals, or other methods. Frequent inspection and proper maintenance of these various fittings and assemblies will assist in minimizing the possibility of progressive flooding.”[1]
[1]Coast Guard, “Maintaining Vessel Watertight Integrity,”
Marine Safety Alert 1-08, May 9, 2008.
