Marine Accident Report--Collision of U.S. Towboat Brazos with Bermudan Bulk Carrier Fort Calgary Houston Ship Channel, August 7, 1980

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Marine Accident Report--Collision of U.S. Towboat Brazos with Bermudan Bulk Carrier Fort Calgary Houston Ship Channel, August 7, 1980

Shortly after 0811 c.d.t., on August 7, 1980, the Bermudan bulk carrier FORT CALGARY and the U.S. towboat BRAZOS and its tow collided near beacons 75 and 76 in the Houston Ship Channel. As a result of the collision, butadiene gas escaped from one of the barges in the BRAZOS' tow. This gas ignited and set fire to the BRAZOS which resulted in its being declared a constructive total loss. All five crewmen of the BRAZOS received burn injuries. All residents within a 1-mile radius of the burning barge were evacuated from their homes. The FORT CALGARY sustained relatively minor damage to its hull. The total damage, including cargo loss, resulting from this accident has been estimated at $860,000. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the decision of the FORT CALGARY's pilot to operate his vessel at near full sea speed which intensified the effects of bank cushion, bank suction, and vessel squat, and caused the vessel to experience a sheer which he was unable to overcome.