A barge tow struck a vane dike on the Ohio River last year because the pilot did not effectively compensate for the outdraft current while navigating out of the McAlpine Locks in
A barge tow struck a vane dike on the Ohio River last year because the pilot did not effectively compensate for the outdraft current while navigating out of the McAlpine Locks in Louisville, Kentucky, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded.
The towing vessel Amber Brittany was transiting the Ohio River on March 8, 2024, pushing 15 barges when the tow struck the vane dike at the upstream end of the locks. The tow broke apart, with 10 barges floating down the river, resulting in an estimated $1.3 million in damage to the barges, cargo and dam gates.
As the Amber Brittany made its port turn while passing under the L&I Railroad Bridge, the head of the tow entered the area of the canal where the effect of an outdraft current, if present, would be expected. Outdraft currents are currents moving across a lock entrance toward a dam. The dam gates were almost fully open, and river levels were rising, resulting in a strong outdraft, which pulled the head of the tow to port. The head of the tow continued to be drawn to port as the tow proceeded upriver. The pilot’s attempt to counteract the force of the
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