Federal investigators said Nov. 15 that a preliminary review of a tanker's voyage data recorder indicates the vessel experienced a steering failure minutes before it struck a docked passenger riverboat in New Orleans.
Investigators have downloaded more than nine hours of data from the tanker's voyage data recorder and began analyzing information that includes bridge audio, rudder angle, engine performance, vessel speed and course, according to National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge Bart Barnum. The agency said the review remains preliminary and that investigators are continuing to examine the recorder data and other evidence recovered from the scene.
"We are investigating the personnel involved, the ships involved, and the environment
at the time," NTSB member John DeLeeuw said at a news conference on Nov. 15. "We are also going to investigate the things that went right. There were a number of reasons of why there were no fatalities, and so we are going to take that as part of our investigation."
Recorder data showed the tanker, Atlantic Asphalt, was traveling upriver near the Crescent City Connection Bridge at about 12:26 p.m. local time Nov. 13 when it experienced a "steering casualty" that left the rudder stuck to starboard, Barnum said. The tanker then veered toward the Mississippi River's east bank.
Audio captured by the recorder included sounds consistent with the vessel's whistle, radio warnings and requests for assistance, commands to deploy anchors and emergency ship-handling orders, according to Barnum. About two minutes later, at 12:28 p.m. local time, the tanker collided with the American Cruise Lines riverboat American Heritage.
DeLeeuw said the NTSB is seeking additional evidence from the public and asked anyone with videos, photos, or other information about the collision to contact investigators. He added that the agency expects to release a preliminary report within about 30 days.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NTSB says steering failure preceded New Orleans riverboat crash
