NTSB: Cell phone distraction led to fatal Houston ship collision

The National Transportation Safety Board published its marine investigation report into a collision in the Houston ship channel near Lynchburg, Texas.

The incident occurred on July 19, 2024 between the 656-foot (199.9-metre) bulk carrier Yangze 7 and the 50-foot (15.3-metre) towing vessel Miss Peggy.

While inbound to Houston, the pilot conning Yangze 7 engaged in a 39-minute personal cell phone call while issuing navigation orders to the bridge team. At 14:04, Yangze 7 struck the stern of Miss Peggy, causing the tug to capsize and sink with five crewmembers on board.

Four crewmembers were rescued by the nearby harbour tug George M, while one deckhand drowned inside the sunken vessel's galley.

Total damages from the accident, including vessel salvage and pollution mitigation, reached $3.7 million. Yangze 7 sustained no damage.

Investigators concluded that the pilot, the bridge team of Yangze 7, and the captain of Miss Peggy all lost situational awareness after failing to maintain a proper lookout.

According to the report, the pilot's extended non-operational phone conversation distracted him from detecting Miss Peggy operating ahead of the bulk carrier.

The investigation found that the Houston Pilots did not have a formal prohibition on the non-operational use of personal electronic devices at the time of the collision.

It also concluded that ineffective bridge resource management prevented the bridge team of Yangze 7 from raising concerns about the pilot's phone use.

To help prevent similar accidents, the NTSB issued safety recommendations to the US Coast Guard and the American Pilots' Association. The agency urged the US Coast Guard to prohibit the non-operational use of personal electronic devices by individuals directing vessel movements on federal waterways.