[C320-list] Philadelphia Collision

[John Frost]

An update on the Duck boat collision in Philadelphia

 

John

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                       NTSB ADVISORY

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

 

 

July 12, 2010

 

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NTSB ISSUES UPDATE ON ITS INVESTIGATION OF TOUR BOAT 

COLLISION IN PHILADELPHIA

 

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In its continuing investigation of a collision involving 

a barge and an amphibious passenger vessel, the National 

Transportation Safety Board has developed the following 

factual information:

 

On Wednesday July 7, 2010, about 2:36 pm, the 250-foot long 

empty sludge barge The Resource, which was being towed 

alongside by the 75.5 foot-long towing vessel M/V Caribbean 

Sea, collided with the anchored amphibious small passenger 

vessel the DUKW 34 in the Delaware River, near Philadelphia, 

PA. On board the DUKW 34 were 35 passengers and two 

crewmembers, and on board the Caribbean Sea were five 

crewmembers. 

 

About 5 to 10 minutes before the accident, the DUKW 34 was 

northbound in the river and experienced a mechanical problem 

that led the master to anchor his vessel. At that time, the 

DUKW 34 was on its normal route about 150 feet from shore 

and within the Delaware River Channel (navigation channel). 

The Caribbean Sea was also northbound in the Delaware River 

Channel traveling about 5 knots. The bow of the barge The 

Resource struck the stern of the DUKW 34, which resulted in 

the DUKW 34 sinking in about 55 feet of water. As a result 

of the accident, two passengers on the DUKW 34 were fatally 

injured and 10 passengers suffered minor injuries. 

 

The crew of the DUKW 34, a master and a deckhand, were 

interviewed on July 9th. They told investigators that their 

radio calls to the Caribbean Sea received no response. The 

NTSB has also interviewed the operators of several vessels 

in the area at the time of the accident, and they stated 

that they recalled hearing the DUKW 34's radio calls on 

channel 13.  Although not all radio channels are recorded, 

the NTSB is attempting to verify this information.

 

The crew of the Caribbean Sea consisted of a master, a mate, 

an engineer, and two deckhands.  Except for the mate and a 

deckhand who was asleep at the time of the accident, the 

NTSB interviewed the crew of the Caribbean Sea on July 10th. 

When the NTSB sought to interview the mate, he exercised his 

Fifth Amendment right and refused to meet with 

investigators. 

 

Investigators are continuing to examine and document the 

structural damage of both vessels and will attempt to 

determine the nature of the mechanical problem that affected 

the DUKW 34 before the accident. Investigators have 

collected photographs and video that may provide further 

information regarding the accident sequence and will be 

working to develop a chronology of events leading up to the 

accident. The Caribbean Sea's GPS and electronic chart 

navigation devices were removed from the vessel and taken to 

NTSB Headquarters for analysis.

 

The NTSB is coordinating and working closely with the Coast 

Guard during this investigation.  The NTSB also acknowledges 

the continued support and cooperation of the other parties 

involved, including Ride the Ducks of Philadelphia and K-Sea 

Transportation.

 

The NTSB's investigation continues.

 

-30-

 

NTSB Media Contact: Keith Holloway, (202)-314-6100

hollow at ntsb.gov