Marine Investigation Report: Contact of Kevin Michael Tow with Melvin Price Locks and Dam Guide Wall, March 19, 2021
On March 19, 2021, about 1138 local time, the towing vessel Kevin Michael was transiting down river on the Mississippi River with a crew of nine pushing a 15-barge tow when the tow struck the bull nose of the upstream main lock chamber guide wall at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, Illinois, resulting in the tow breaking apart and damaging the dam gates. No pollution or injuries were reported. Total damages to the barges and dam gates were estimated to be $1,172,227. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the contact of the Kevin Michael tow with the Melvin Price Locks and Dam guide wall was the Kevin Michael pilot not effectively compensating for the strong outdraft and wind above the dam while navigating toward the lock during a period of high-flow conditions. Lessons learned involve the use of charted sailing lines. Generally, a sailing line is assigned to a known safe route used by commercial vessels. A sailing line is developed under considerations of channel depth, current patterns, and any other known obstructions to navigation. In some areas, a sailing line is positioned to address a specific navigational hazard, such as the outdraft near the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. A charted sailing line provides for a safe and successful transit when used as a guide along with the mariner’s own experience and assessment of the existing circumstances.
- Record URL:
- Summary URL:
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Corporate Authors:
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC United States - Publication Date: 2022-3-17
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Maps; Photos;
- Pagination: 13p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Crash causes; Crash investigation; Dams; Locks (Waterways); Towboats; Water transportation crashes
- Geographic Terms: Mississippi River
- Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01841459
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: MIR-22/08, Accident No. DCA21FM021
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Apr 6 2022 10:26AM