Wed May 03, 2017 7:45 pm
"Ain't love grand?" The NTSB has cited a towboat captain's cellphone use in a $60 million accident. "The towboat Loretta G. Cenac was falling back behind another towboat as the Greek flagged bulk carrier Arit T. approached at 1954 on Jan. 31st. The ship missed the tow, but struck several vessels and structures along the left descending bank. The incident at mile marker 125 near Norco, La., caused nearly $60 million in damage and two injured dock workers. Had the captain on the Loretta G. Cenac been focused on his navigational duties instead of on the communication with his girlfriend at 1947, the images on the vessel's radar and electronic chart would have likely raised his awareness of the dangerous traffic situation that was developing."
