(LUDLOW, Ky.) — The Coast Guard has determined that the crewman on watch fell asleep at the controls of a towboat guiding a 15-barge string up the Ohio River, causing the tow to strike a restaurant and bar, Cincinnati.com reported.
The towboat Dale Artigue, operated by Florida Marine Transporters, was pushing barges loaded with rock, sand and gravel when the tow hit the Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club on Oct. 2. The facility was destroyed and boats docked at the marina were damaged.
"The causal factors included the mate on-watch falling asleep while at the controls, thereby failing to maintain a proper watch as the vessel was underway upbound on the Ohio River at mile marker 474," the Coast Guard said. "The Coast Guard has initiated administrative enforcement action against the mate's Coast Guard merchant mariner credential; however, the Coast Guard is unable to comment any further on specifics until such time as the enforcement case is adjudicated."
Click here to read the story. Click here to read Professional Mariner's initial coverage of the incident.
