USCG: Pilothouse alerter system failure causes dock allision

The United States Coast Guard issued Safety Alert 02-25 following a significant marine casualty involving a towing vessel and barge. The incident occurred on the Columbia River, where the towing vessel, pushing a barge loaded with aggregate, collided with a bulk liquid transfer terminal pier. This collision caused extensive property damage exceeding $1.5 million, including damage to the barge, handling equipment, and the terminal facility. Additionally, the incident posed a potential environmental risk, as it occurred near a pipeline that could have released 25,000 gallons of synthetic diesel into the waterway.

Incident Causes and Contributing Factors

A marine casualty investigation revealed that the operator fell asleep at the helm, leading to the collision. A critical contributing factor was the failure of the Pilothouse Alerter System, a safety feature required under 46 CFR §143.450 for towing vessels longer than 65 feet with single-person pilothouse watches and overnight accommodations.

The Pilothouse Alerter System is designed to monitor operator activity and detect incapacitation. It triggers an alarm at adjustable intervals, which must not exceed 10 minutes. Alarms can be reset using various mechanisms, such as pushbuttons, floor pedals, or motion detection.

In this case, the system’s alarm interval was set to 10 minutes, relying on passive infrared (PIR) sensors to monitor motion in the pilothouse. Unfortunately, these sensors detected non-human movements, such as swinging cables and oscillating fans, instead of monitoring the operator’s activity. The equipment used was not manufactured specifically for marine environments, raising concerns about its reliability under such conditions.

This incident underscores the widespread use of similar systems with components not designed for the marine industry. While these systems technically meet regulatory requirements, they may introduce significant safety risks.

Coast Guard Recommendations

To prevent similar incidents, the Coast Guard strongly recommends that vessel managers, owners, and operators take the following actions:

Ensure Appropriate Alarm Intervals:
Evaluate the vessel’s route and conditions to determine suitable alarm intervals. For example, on river routes, even 10 minutes of unattended operation may be too long.
Consider Marine-Grade Systems:
Replace existing systems with those designed specifically for marine environments to improve reliability and safety.
Update Safety Policies:
Review and update company policies related to Pilothouse Alerter Systems. Policies should address proper alarm intervals, training, and regular maintenance in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
Ensure Proper Functionality:
Regularly inspect the system to ensure it operates as intended. Prevent tampering or circumvention of system components, such as using tape to bypass alarm resets or allowing oscillating fans to interfere with motion sensors.
Voluntary Installation on Smaller Vessels:
Although not required by regulations, consider installing marine-grade Pilothouse Alerter Systems on vessels under 65 feet to enhance safety.

Compliance Requirements

Under 46 CFR §143.450, all towing vessels must comply with pilothouse alerter system requirements within five years of receiving their first Certificate of Inspection (COI). However, this requirement does not apply to new towing vessels, as they must comply immediately.