The NTSB has issued an investigation report into the allision between the fishing vessel 'Papa Rod' and the 'Appaloosa'. On May 2, 2024, about 09.30 a.m. LT, the 'Papa Rod' was underway 25 miles south of Venice, Louisiana, when it collided with the bulk carrier, which was anchored east of the entrance to Southwest Pass. There were no injuries, and no pollution was reported. The damage to the vessels was estimated to be about $223,000. While the fishing vessel was near Southwest Pass, it was on autopilot. The deckhand on watch (deckhand 2) stated that he fell asleep at the helm. The toxicology results for deckhand 2 indicated that he had used the stimulant drug methamphetamine and a psychoactive cannabis product. The high levels of methamphetamine and its metabolite amphetamine in his urine (over 10,000 nanograms per milliliter) generally increase the likelihood that methamphetamine had been abused. However, this is not definitive, and urine toxicology results generally cannot be used to determine the precise timing of last drug use or the details of associated impairment. Therefore, whether deckhand 2 was impaired by the effects of his methamphetamine or cannabis use at the time of the allision could not be determined. Effects from methamphetamine abuse follow a typical pattern, dominated by central nervous system stimulation in the early phase, with features of central nervous system depression emerging later as initial drug effects wear off. Such features of central nervous system depression may include sleepiness, which can be intense. Additionally, methamphetamine and amphetamine use may also interfere with proper sleep, causing sleep loss, which can lead to fatigue. Similarly, cannabis use can contribute to drowsiness in some individuals, either through acute drug effects or interference with restful sleep. The investigators could not determine the amount of sleep deckhand 2 received before joining the 'Papa Rod'. Although deckhand 2 reported getting seven hours of rest/sleep before taking watch, he stated that deckhand 1 had to “holler” at him two or three times before he awakened, indicating he had difficulty waking up. Given deckhand 2’s urine results, his difficulty awakening and drowsiness could have been an effect of his drug use or a related sleep debt. However, whether deckhand 2’s drug use increased his drowsiness at the time of the allision could not be determined. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the allision was the on-watch deckhand falling asleep while operating the Papa Rod. Possibly contributing to his drowsiness were effects of his drug use or a related sleep debt. Full report: https://safety4sea.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/NTSB-Collision-between-Fishing-Vessel-Papa-Rod-and-Anchored-Bulk-Carrier-Appaloosa-2025_04.pdf
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FIREFIGHTER II
The 'Fire Fighter II' was mobilized by the US Coast Guard on April 10, 2025, which was coordinating with local, state and federal agencies the response to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River that occurred on the afternoon in New York City near the Holland Tunnel. The Coast Guard Sector New York command center watchstanders received a report at approximately 3:15 p.m. reporting the downed Bell 206L4 with the registration number N216MH, into the Hudson River in New York City. Response boat crews from Coast Guard stations New York, Sandy Hook and Kings Point, and the CG 'Bonito' were deployed to the incident. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued regarding the incident and a safety zone was established, securing all vessel traffic 1 mile north and one mile south of the Holland Tunnel across the entire Hudson River. At 6 p.m., the safety zone was reduced to 1,000 feet surrounding the Holland Tunnel ventilator and vessels may resume transiting the Hudson River slowly along the New York side with permission from on-scene assets. The Coast Guard was working with the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Transportation Safety Board to salvage the helicopter. The cause of the incident is under investigation. Six people were reported dead after the small helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Pier 40 . The victims included the three children of Agustin Escobar, a Spanish Siemens manager, and his wife. The aircraft was plummeting upside-down towards the water, its tail was missing and its rotor visibly separated and trailed behind. Six bodies were recovered from the wreckage, including the remains of the pilot. The aircraft had departed the downtown Manhattan heliport and was in the air for about 15 minutes before the crash. The aircraft is registered to a private helicopter sales and leasing company headquartered in Louisiana. The same helicopter appears in promotional materials for a New York-based flightseeing company. Video: https://twitter.com/i/status/1910424640595312989
COBRA
Juan Sanhueza, 58, a lookout of the 'Cobra', was found dead in the Bosques de Quiñenco area of Coronel on the morning of April 10. He had been missing since April 4. The discovery was made during the search led by the PDI's Homicide Squad, following a complaint filed by the crew member's family. The man was considered a key witness in the investigation into the sinking of the boat "Bruma," which still leaves seven fishermen missing. The head of the Concepción Homicide Squad, Enrique Guzmán, explained that during the investigation, they were able to "obtain this location of criminal interest, so detailed investigations were carried out with this specialized equipment, which finally allowed to locate a person. "It is part of the examination and forensic process to be able to categorically establish the date of death, which would correspond more or less to the period of disappearance," The Biobío regional prosecutor, Marcela Cartagena, reported that the identity of the body was confirmed by the Criminalistics Laboratory through a fingerprint examination. Third party involvement was ruled out and a suicide presumed. Sanhueza, who was serving as a lookout the night before the sinking of the "Bruma," disappeared after attending a psychological support session organized by the company Blumar. He was later scheduled to appear before the Investigative Police (PDI), but decided to travel on his own instead of using the company's transportation and missed the summons. Sanhueza's last record indicates that he boarded a Ruta del Mar bus, where, according to the driver, he displayed nervous behaviour and changed seats several times. He got off at Vega Monumental, and his whereabouts have not been known since. The widow had told prosecutor Hugo Cuevas that Sanhueza intended to cooperate with the investigation and testify. Report with photos: https://www.adnradio.cl/2025/04/10/fiscalia-confirma-que-cadaver-encontrado-en-coronel-corresponde-a-juan-sanhueza-testigo-clave-del-barco-cobra/
CSL NIAGARA
On the early morning of April 9, 2025, the 'CSL Niagara', en route from Montreal, had an allision with the lower end of the approach wall below the Beauharnois Lock of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The bulk carrier sufffered a crack to the port side bow. It was sailing in ballast for Superior, WIsconsin, when the incident happened. The 'CSL Niagara' was de-ballasted to get the damaged area out of the water, and shifted back to the end of the wall to enable vessels to go around her. Divers were sent to the scene. There were no reported injuries and no reason has been given for the allison. By evening the ship was underway again, sailing eastbound back to Montreal, where it arrived at the Vickers Quay on April 10 at 5 a.m,. UTC.
FRAMFJORD
On April 10, 2025, the 'Frjamfjord' suffered engine probles off the por of Myre. The NSSR boat 'Halfdan Grieg' (MMSI: 259176000) and other ships were mobilized to assist the disabled vessel at 11.40 a.m., which had trouble with its cooling system, and the lifeboat took it in tow just before noon with the catamaran ship 'Brennsund' (MMSI: 257026930) as steering assistance at the stern. The cargo ship was safely docked at Kartneset at 3:10 p.m. The weather on scene was calm, and everything went well. At 4 p.m. the damage was repaired, and the ship continued to Andenes. Report with photo: https://www.blv.no/redningsskoyta-tauer-frakteskip-flere-bater-rundt/s/5-9-833490