Speed and human error cited in LA barge crash

Excessive speed is being blamed as the cause of a barge smashing into the Downtown Marina in Houma, Louisiana.

The Coast Guard reports that the Marquette Transportation vessels should have been maneuvering by twin-span bridges at less than two knots but were going twice as fast.

The barges smashed into pilings on both the east and west banks of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, damaging the bulkhead and marina bayou overlook. Marquette Transportation is expected to pay for the repairs, estimated between $150,000 and $175,000.

According to the Coast Guard, both tug captains failed to reduce speed, but will not take action against them. Their names have not been released.

Source: Daily Comet