Collision between Bulk Carrier 'Conti Peridot' and Tanker 'Carla Maersk', Houston Ship Channel near Morgan's Point, Texas, March 9, 2015.

摘要

This report discusses the March 9, 2015, collision between bulk carrier Conti Peridot and tanker Carla Maersk in the Houston Ship Channel near Morgan’s Point, Texas. The collision occurred in restricted visibility after the pilot on the Conti Peridot was unable to control the heading fluctuations that the bulk carrier was experiencing during the transit. As a result, the Conti Peridot crossed the channel into the path of the Carla Maersk. No one was injured in the collision, but an estimated 2,100 barrels (88,200 gallons) of methyl tert-butyl ether spilled from the Carla Maersk, and the two vessels sustained about $8.2 million in total damage. The report identifies the following safety issues: Inadequate bridge resource management, insufficient pilot communications, and lack of predetermined ship movement strategies during restricted visibility in the Houston Ship Channel. As a result of this investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board makes new safety recommendations to the Conti Peridot operating company (Bremer Bereederungsgesellschaft mbH & Co.), the Houston Pilots Association, and the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee.