Contact of Towing Vessel Steve Richoux With Mardi Gras World Pier - NTSB Report

Maritime News Marine Incidents
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Contact of Towing Vessel Steve Richoux With Mardi Gras World Pier

On May 7, 2018 about 1848 local time, the towing vessel Steve Richoux with five crewmembers was down bound on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana, pushing six loaded cement barges when a steering system failure occurred. The pilot and the captain tried to regain steering control of the vessel.

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Because the actuating rams for the flanking rudders and main rudders operated off the same hydraulic system, if the port flanking rudder remained in the hard-to-port position and the relief valve continued to lift, the system would not hold normal operating pressure for the rams. Therefore, even if an operator switched between the two hydraulic pumps to maintain system pressure, the rudders would not respond to any additional commands

The alarm for the the steering gear failure was labeled “SHIP SERV”

Alarm panel located on the starboard side of the wheelhouse near the deck. The alarm labeled “SHIPSERV” indicated that the steering system was over-pressurized.

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Mardi gras world? I mean, steering gear failures are interesting and relatable and all, but MARDI GRAS WORLD?! That sounds suspiciously like someone took a very local and colorful celebration, packed it into a museum cum amusement park ride, and shoved it at the tourists 365 days a year. I’d be tempted to give it a nudge myself.

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I think that accurately describes New Orleans to a T. No need for a museum/amusement park.

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Mardi gras world is an event space in a prime location on the river. It was actually holding the inauguration for the new mayor of New Orleans when the barge hit. Perfect timing.