Negligence of Watch Results in a Massive Collision, According to NTSB

Distracted maritime employees are being blamed for one of the worst maritime accidents in recent memory. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the collision between the two massive vessels, the Bunun Queen and the Thunder, caused upwards of $12 million in damages. 

The Incident & Report

On July 23rd, 2022 the Bunun Queen was traveling on autopilot at 14.4 knots. At around 1 pm local time near Tampa Bay, it struck the port side of the Thunder, causing internal flooding in multiple areas. According to the NTSB report, distracted watch officers were unable to properly identify the danger until it was too late. After a year-long investigation, the NTSB found that the master on the Thunder was using his cell phone, and the officer of the Bunun Queen was occupied with other duties. The result was a large collision that caused millions of dollars in damage. Luckily, there were no injuries. 

Your Safety Comes First

This incident is an important reminder for anyone working at sea that safety should always come first. While rare, accidents like these happen. That's why it’s important for anyone who works at sea to know their rights and understand what to do if they’re hurt on the job. VB Attorneys specializes in Jones Act claims, helping those injured while working on a vessel receive the help they need after a personal injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact our Jones Act Lawyers today.

Source: https://gcaptain.com/distracted-watch-officers-led-to-collision-ntsb-finds/