At 0640 c.s.t., on November 9, 1978, the Greek bulk carrier M/V IRENE S. LEMOS and the Panamanian bulk carrier M/V MARITIME JUSTICE collided in the lower Mississippi River at mile 78.3 AHP, about 15 statute miles below New Orleans, Louisiana. Because of dense fog, the visibility at the time of the collision was less than 400 feet. The vessels struck nearly head-on, damaging the bows of both vessels. There were no deaths or injuries. Cost of repairs to the two vessels was estimated at $4 million. About 1,800 barrels of fuel oil were discharged into the Mississippi River and resulted in local health officials securing the municipal water intake 1/2 mile downriver. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the poor judgment of the pilots of the MARITIME JUSTICE and the IRENE S. LEMOS when they agreed to meet and pass, in near zero visibility conditions, at English Turn Bend where the risk of collision was much greater than in a straight portion of the river and the failure of the vessels to move to the extreme right of the channel.


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    Title :

    Marine Accident Report - Collision of Greek Bulk Carrier M/V IRENE S. LEMOS and Panamanian Bulk Carrier M/V MARITIME JUSTICE, Lower Mississippi River, Near New Orleans, Louisiana, November 9, 1978


    Publication date :

    1980


    Size :

    24 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English