NTSB: Outdraft currents contributed to $1.3 million Ohio River barge strike
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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 said Thursday.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred on March 8, 2024, when the 1982-built, 138 foot towing vessel Amber Brittany, <\/em>owned by Knight Manufacturing Corp and operated by Imperial River Transport LLC, was transiting the Ohio River. It was 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.<\/p>\n \u200bAs the Amber Brittany <\/em>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\u2019s attempt to counteract the force of the outdraft was ineffective.<\/p>\nOutdraft currents<\/h4>\n