Page 29: of Marine News Magazine (November 2020)

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COLUMN

Insurance

By Randy O’Neill

River Dance

Grounding Triggers

Breakaway Barges

It was a beautiful mid-summer afternoon in the nation’s heartland. The skies were clear, the sun was shining and the variable southwest breeze barely caused a ripple on the muddy water of the winding river. Optimistic ? shermen lined the riverbanks and a few recreational boaters were cruising close to the ? oating docks lining both shores.

This tranquil scene on this busy waterway was about to change…and quickly.

A parting of the ways

About a half mile upriver, a 95-foot tug was proceed- ing southbound on a slow bell with two barges made up end-to-end along her starboard side. The tow was proceeding at a speed of 3-4 knots with the tide begin- ning to ? ood and a light southwesterly wind. Suddenly, the wind unexpectedly turned gusty and, combined with the ? ooding tide, pushed the tow to port and out of the navigable channel where the tug grounded in the soft, muddy river bottom.

That’s when all hell…and the two barges…broke loose.

Carried by their forward momentum, the two light sand skows being hip-towed end-to-end made up with soft lines with rakes facing out started their demolition derby-like rampage down river. First victims of the lead barge were a cabin cruiser and small sailboat tied up to a ? oating dock on the river’s western bank. The barge sideswiped both boats, squeezing them with a crunching sound against the ? oating dock. The impact slowed the barge tandem, causing the trailing barge to pivot, swing out past the lead © kikimor / Adobe Stock 29 www.marinelink.com MN