NTSB Report Reveals Watertight Integrity Issues Led to Sinking of Towing Vessel

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Tuesday that the sinking of the towing vessel Jacqueline A last year in the Atlantic Ocean was caused by a lack of watertight integrity.

The Jacqueline A was en route from Virginia to a Louisiana shipyard for regulatory compliance when it began taking on water off the coast of South Carolina on August 8, 2023. The three crew members on board abandoned the vessel and were rescued by local emergency responders. The vessel was eventually salvaged.

NTSB investigators determined that the vessel sank stern-first, with the bow remaining above water for some time, indicating that the flooding began in the aft section. Significant wastage holes were found in the main deck plating above the lazarette, within voids formed by the enclosed bulwark framing on the main deck.

The report highlighted that inaccessible voids or poorly ventilated pockets pose risks to vessels due to severe rusting and corrosion. These areas can go unnoticed and unmaintained, leading to significant structural weaknesses.

Additionally, the investigation revealed that the bilge high-water alarm system on the Jacqueline A was ineffective as there was no sensor in the lazarette, preventing early flood detection. The NTSB recommended that sensors be installed in all areas where flooding could impact the vessel’s stability and buoyancy.

Furthermore, electrical wire runs connecting the lazarette to the engine room were found to be unsealed, allowing water to pour into the engine room once the lazarette filled up.

“For the safety of a vessel and all on board, the integrity of the hull and watertight bulkheads must be maintained, and any deficiencies must be appropriately addressed,” the report stated. The NTSB emphasized that known issues with watertight integrity need to be resolved permanently.

The Jacqueline A was a total loss, valued at $660,000.

Read the report: Marine Investigation Report 24-20