Tug-barge misjudgment during narrow passage led to ship-to-shore crane strike; agency stresses air draft awareness
A lack of timely communication between vessel crews led to a $4.5 million crane collision at North Charleston Terminal in January 2024, according to findings released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The incident highlights a critical oversight in navigating air draft hazards near ship-to-shore cranes, particularly during complex maritime operations.
What Happened
On January 4, 2024, the towing vessel Royal Engineer was pushing the crane barge Stevens 1471 through the Cooper River when it attempted to pass between two large obstacles: the containership Celsius Nicosia and an adjacent dredging vessel.
The Royal Engineer’s crew had planned to request the eastern passage by having the dredge crew temporarily break their pipeline. However, communication with the dredge was only established about 15 minutes before reaching the bottleneck. By that time, the dredge captain recommended a western route, and both parties agreed to proceed through a narrow gap between the dredge and the container vessel.
The Oversight
According to the NTSB’s Marine Investigation Report 25-09, the mate on the Royal Engineer did not consider the overhead projection of the ship-to-shore crane, which was engaged in cargo operations and in the lowered position. The crane extended horizontally beyond the ship’s hull, creating a critical hazard for the high-profile crane barge.
The barge’s elevated structure collided with the extended crane, causing significant structural damage to terminal infrastructure and leading to $4.5 million in total losses.
Key Findings and Safety Message
The NTSB concluded that the root cause was delayed and incomplete communication, which limited the time available for proper planning and hazard identification. The report also noted that vessel operators must always consider their tow’s air draft, especially when navigating near cargo cranes, bridges, and dredging equipment.
In its safety message, the NTSB stated:
“Ship-to-shore cranes, when conducting cargo operations on a vessel and in the lowered position, may extend considerably beyond the side of the vessel and become a hazard to vessels with high air drafts transiting nearby.”
Industry Implications
This incident is a cautionary tale for maritime operators, especially those working near container terminals and dredging zones. As vessel and barge configurations continue to evolve in size and complexity, real-time communication and route planning remain critical. Failure to recognize overhead hazards—even those not visible from water level—can have costly and dangerous consequences.
