The 43-page report provides lessons learned from each of the accidents in an easy-to-use summary document. 'Safer Seas 2014' focuses on issues including understanding vessel control systems, passenger safety during critical maneuvers, maintenance and crew training.
The investigations detailed include cargo, fishing, research and offshore supply vessels, tankers, a ferry, a tall ship, towing vessels and a yacht.
The sole cruise-related accident covers how bollard failure at the BAE Systems shipyard in Mobile resulted in Carnival Triumph breaking from its moorings and drifting across the river. One shipyard worker died and another was injured after the two men fell into the water. The damage totaled $3m.
There were no passengers on board.
The ship had been undergoing repairs at BAE Systems when a freak storm with high wind gusts caused Carnival Triumph's stern to swing away from the pier, straining the aft mooring lines. Bollards parted from their mounts, setting the ship adrift. Its bow collided with the dredge Wheeler, and another vessel became pinned between the hulls of the cruise ship and the dredge.
The NTSB accident investigation determined the probable cause as the successive failure of multiple mooring bollards, which were known by BAE Systems to be in poor condition with an undetermined mooring load capability.
'Safer Seas 2014' is available at www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/SPC1501.pdf.
