Marine Accident Report Collision of Tankship Eagle Otome with Cargo Vessel Gull Arrow and Subsequent Collision with the Dixie Vengeance Tow Sabine-Neches Canal, Port Arthur, Texas January 23, 2010

Description

This report discusses the January 23, 2010, collision of the tankship Eagle Otome with the general cargo vessel Gull Arrow and the subsequent collision of tank barge Kirby 30406, pushed by towboat Dixie Vengeance, with the Eagle Otome. The accident occurred in the Sabine-Neches Canal in Port Arthur, Texas. The damages that resulted from this accident were $1.5 million to the Eagle Otome, $35,000 to the barge, and $381,000 to the Gull Arrow. No crewmember on board the three vessels was injured. As a result of the accident, an estimated 462,000 gallons of oil spilled into the water, and about 136 Port Arthur residents were temporarily evacuated from the area near the accident scene. Safety issues identified in this accident were pilot oversight, mariner fatigue, waterway safety, and bridge control ergonomics. As a result of the investigation, safety recommendations are issued to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners, the Sabine Pilots Association, the American Pilots' Association, and governors of states and territories in which state and local pilots operate.