404 Not Found

nginx

Barge Accidents

In 2002, 799 million tons of material was transported via barge, at an average of 1500 tons per barge and 15 barges per fleet, that�s 35500 barge trips per year or nearly 100 trips each day; each loaded trip must be followed by an unloaded return trip. With so much traffic it is hardly surprising that accidents occur.

On Tuesday, June 4th 2002, a 27-year old man was killed when a towboat pushing two empty barges collided with his motorboat. The boat�s lack of maneuverability coupled with the pilot�s inexperience caused an easily preventable death. Another fatal accident occurred on May 28, 1993 when a towboat drifted into bridge pilings while attempting to cross under it. The bridge�s strength was compromised, and its deck collapsed; 3 people fell into the river, one died and two were seriously injured. One more such accident, the semi-famous I-40 bridge crash, was caused by a towboat pushing empty barges. In this crash, on May 26, 2003, fourteen lives were lost.

According to Mr. David Hanby, President & Chief Operating Officer of McDonough Marine Service, "accidents that happen under a tow are not necessarily influenced by whether they are under loaded or unloaded conditions." We are hoping that our device will help minimize the occurance of accidents caused by the difficulty in maneuvering unloaded barges.
By reducing the number of accidents, our device will consequently reduce the costs of repairs caused in accidents. On February 15, 2006 David Hanby said the severity and number of accidents will determine the value of repairs, which we want to reduce by using our device. If our product is to reduce costs of repairs, insurance costs will also fall. On February 15, 2006 David Hanby said hull insurance is focused physical damage to the hull and Protection and Indemnity insurance focuses on liabilities to other people and property damaged by the barge. He also said the total cost for insurance runs about $600,000 per year for 600 barges. Thus if our device prevents more accidents, hence hull damage and the damage it causes, insurance companies will reduce insurance values and barge companies will save more money on accident insurance.
It is up to the captin when and if the barge operates, there are no rules set by the coast guard. The captain decides on such factors as the distance the barge has to travel, if it is on a lake or in a moving body of water, f it is loaded or unloaded, and the horse power of the ship.





David Hanby
  email correspondence: January 20, 2006
  email correspondence: February 15, 2006
  email coorespondence: February 13, 2006

AWO: Total Tons Moved by Barge, 1991-2002
  http://www.americanwaterways.com/barge_traffic.htm
2002 Pennsylvania Boating Accident Analysis
  http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/fatal02.htm
National Transportation Safety Board: Highway-Maine Accident Report
  http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/1994/HAR9403.htm
NewsOK.com: Safeguards for bridges suggested
  http://newsok.com/article/1028209/
404 Not Found

404 Not Found

nginx