Steering System Contamination Leads to $2 Million Bulk Carrier Crash with Navigation Marker

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently uncovered that a piece of O-ring debris was behind a steering failure,which caused the bulk carrier American mariner to collide with a navigation aid in Michigan’s St. Marys River. This incident took place on March 28, 2024, when the vessel struck the munuscong Channel Junction Light near Sault Ste. Marie.Thankfully, no one was hurt among the 18 crew members onboard, adn there were no reports of pollution.

The American Mariner was just starting its season after undergoing winter maintenance that included installing a new steering control system. During its journey, crew members noticed some odd alarms related to the steering but couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong since the rudder seemed to be functioning normally.

after investigating post-incident,it turned out that the No. 1 control motor—crucial for managing the hydraulic pump’s stroke—had failed due to black debris stuck between its gears. Once technicians replaced this motor and recalibrated the steering system, everything returned to normal operation.

This collision resulted in meaningful financial repercussions: about $800,750 in damages for the vessel itself and around $1.25 million for damage to navigation infrastructure—a hefty price tag! The Munuscong Channel Junction light is an essential navigational aid featuring both light and signal components mounted on a sturdy concrete base.

For those interested in maritime safety insights or updates from similar incidents worldwide—from cargo ships navigating through busy ports in Asia to fishing vessels operating off South America—staying informed is crucial! You can subscribe for daily maritime insights and join over 109k fellow enthusiasts who are keen on keeping up with industry developments.

For more detailed findings from this examination, check out Marine Investigation Report 25-18 released by NTSB—it’s packed with valuable details!