​​​On January 12, 2021, about 2359 local time, the towing vessel Robert Cenac was pushing one empty barge when the barge struck the CSX railway Rigolets swing bridge, located about 11 miles southeast of Slidell, Louisiana.1 No pollution or injuries were reported. Damages to the bridge and barge were estimated at $1.1 million and $5,000, respectively.

We determinded that the probable cause of the contact of the Robert Cenac tow with the CSX Rigolets railway swing bridge was the poor communication between the bridge operator and vessel operator. Contributing to the accident was the absence of bridge span navigation lighting that would have provided the vessel operator with a visual indication of the bridge’s opening status.​