Marine Investigation Report: Collision between Big D and Carol McManus Tows, January 9, 2023

​On January 9, 2023, the towing vessel Big D was pushing 19 barges downbound on the Lower Mississippi River, and the towing vessel Carol McManus was pushing 42 barges upbound on the river. At 0152 local time, the two tows collided at mile 312 near Fort Adams, Mississippi, causing the barges in both tows to break free. Several barges were damaged in the collision, and about 1,380 gallons of ethanol spilled into the waterway. Two minor injuries were reported. Damages to the vessels were estimated at $1.36 million. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the probable cause of the collision between the Big D tow and the Carol McManus tow was the Carol McManus pilot incorrectly recalling the agreed-upon passing arrangement, which resulted in the Carol McManus tow encroaching on the downbound Big D tow.​

• Record URL:
  • https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2330.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA23FM012.aspx
• Corporate Authors:

  National Transportation Safety Board

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Publication Date: 2023-12-27

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos;
• Pagination: 11p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash causes; Crash investigation; Human factors in crashes; Towboats; Water transportation crashes
• Geographic Terms: Mississippi River
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01908445
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MIR-23-30, Investigation ID DCA23FM012
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 20 2024 9:14AM