Contact of Towing Vessel Edna T. Gattle and Tow with Union Pacific Railway Bridge

What Happened

On April 24, 2019, the towing vessel Edna T. Gattle was pushing the barge Terral 2 downbound on the Atchafalaya River through the Union Pacific Railway Bridge at mile 41.5, near Krotz Springs, Louisiana, when the captain lost control of the tow and the vessel and barge made contact with the bridge and piers. As a result, the barge suffered $26,748 in damages, and the bridge sustained $500,000 in damages and was out of service for 3 days. No injuries or pollution were reported.

What We Found

​​The probable cause of the Edna T. Gattle and tow’s contact with the Union Pacific Railway Bridge was the captain allowing the tow to proceed beyond a safe decision point without confirming the status of the bridge opening, given the high river current.

Lessons Learned

​​Bridge Transit Decision Points

Decision points in passage plans describe places or times when vessels must take action to avoid hazardous conditions. Such decision points should allow enough time and distance to safely execute a contingency plan. Passages that include lift and swing bridges must anticipate and account for delayed openings, especially in high-current scenarios.​​

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