Was A Towboat In The Houston Ship Channel Run Down By A Liberian-flagged Ship, Resulting In A Death?

Towboat Run Down in Houston Ship Channel
July 20, 2024
In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - discusses the sinking of the towboat Miss Peggy and the potential collision with the inbound Liberian-flagged bulker Yangze 7.
#supplychain #houston #towboat #sinking
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[@wgowshipping]

🚨UPDATE: The body of the missing mariner has been recovered. The towboat Miss Peggy has been raised. I have submitted requests to the USCG Sector Houston-Galveston and District 8 for information on this event. Specifically, I asked if there is an ongoing investigation to the incident involving the collision between MV Yangze 7 and Miss Peggy. I will keep you posted. 🚨

[@useyourblues]

Will you please post a follow up with more information?

[@DM-mv4eq]

You could turn us loose to start a write in campaign. Not sure if this is the battle to pick, but you now have a large ship you can steer hopefully for the greater good.

[@kpw565]

You are correct…the ship ran over Miss Peggy. There is a restaurant there called The Monument Inn and we were there when the commotion started. Our waitress described it as a “hit and run” because the ship kept going. A woman that was sitting in the bar recorded it all and she gave the info to the sheriffs that showed up to help in the search and rescue.

[@jamesmurray3948]

Off Topic: Great to hear the Monument Inn is still going strong after the Texas was moved out. Great seafood.

[@ryanupchurch9683]

Monument inn is fire. So good and good service and good view.

[@tatersncorn]

Please contact the Coast Guard or National Maritime Center. They will be very happy to have your info.

[@davidoldboy5425]

Ship's in a narrow channel can't just stop and turn round?

[@Ganiscol]

Well, again, this isnt like with road vehicles. A freighter cant just stop and render aid in a channel. The best they can and of course should do is to notify authorities of an emergency and where that is. If they didnt do that, it is probably an indicator that the crew wasnt paying attention to the ship's surrounding to begin with.

[@ChrisPBacon512]

As someone who lives near Houston, I can tell you that the news media here couldn't get a story correct if they were watching it happen.

[@johncooper4637]

Remember the Watson Grinding explosion? For days they said it was a plastics plant because they used propylene instead of acetylene for flame spraying. I sent Channel 11 an email correcting them and they finally changed their broadcast.

[@upnorthyooper1196]

That's funny.

[@cammieg4381]

Thanks Sal! If it weren't for YOU chances are we would have never learned of anything about this.

[@HarryWHill-GA]

Thanks Sal. This is why the US Navy expends so much time and effort in training for Sea and Anchor detail. Piloting demands extreme attention. Stuff happens far faster than most people would believe. The results of in attention are matters of life and death.

[@willythemailboy2]

That, and inertia is such that you can't recover from an error or unexpected event nearly as fast as people think.

[@GeekBoyMN]

Agreed! I was on a Newport class LST in the 80s and stood many a S&A detail both on the steering gear and engine room spaces. We had 8 hour S&A watches going up and down the Mississippi to New Orleans for the World's Fair 1984 and not quite as long passing under the Key Bridge in Baltimore the same year.

[@cheddar2648]

Things happen slow then all at once.

[@HarryWHill-GA]

@@cheddar2648 Absolutely! You have to have stood a deck watch, even if you weren't the OOD, to understand just how fast things can turn to shirt. This is true in bright sunshine and in a stormy night. It was a beautiful spring afternoon in the Med. We were practicing highline transfers with the German DDG Leutjens when a freighter on Iron Mike cut in front of us. The two captains took over and turned together while less than 150 feet apart without breaking the highline connection. Everybody wants to be the captain until there is captain stuff to do.

[@JoshuaGinsburg-sz6go]

I was in there at the same time

[@CNSTAdventures]

I’m a Captain on towboats in the area and can confirm the ship ran over it . There’s one more force at play is when ships pass us they suck us to them as well. I never meet ships in bends . Especially in the Houston ship channel. However if ever forced to there’s always clear communication with the ships and they’ll generally tell us to get over a little more before they overtake us or meet us period. It’s worked out in advance . Traffic these days in Houston here is so congested . I would love to know what had that Pilots attention because had plenty of time to pull em back at the lower crossovers . However , you are spot on man and love your reports and your channel ! Be safe bro!

[@wgowshipping]

Thanks Capt! I agree, Yangze 7 could have slowed down - she was doing 10 knots. I am not sure if there were comma with all three ships involved. It is just a needless accident. But the thing that I keep coming back is no one in the media is saying this is a collision. I have a question into USCG Houston-Galveston asking if there is an investigation?

[@CNSTAdventures]

@@wgowshippingSir these are questions we would love to know too !

[@jonathanbrown3507]

I would deviate from the rules of the road if it meant saving the lives of the crew.

[@towboattrash]

@@jonathanbrown3507 Yes sir. States it right there in the rules of the road….not verbatim but, vessels allowed to make any maneuvers to avoid collisions once danger is deemed imminent.

[@towboattrash]

@@jonathanbrown3507 Did you work for Blessey back in the late to mid 90’s? Think I was your tkm, rode with you and Morrison. This is Segelke

[@jeromeschmidt5506]

I worked the Houston Ship Channel in 1970's , pushing unit tows from Baytown, Txs. east and west on the ICW. I am long retired but I watch your analysis of International shipping. I have been in tight situations in the channel similar to the situation as you described. In most weather, pushboats operate with their engine room doors open. Depending on freeboard and gunwale, wheel wash may have flooded the engine room as she was overtaken. Houston Ship pilots in my day were very professional, but suction between those ships may have made precision steerage very difficult. The tug had responsibility to maintain course and speed, difficult to go out of the channel when your vission of the situation is limited in comparison to the overtaking ship. My prayers for those involved You provide excellent informed commentary on issues involving global supply chains. Thanks.

[@squid0013]

Most towboats leave the doors shut now days, it's industry standard to be as watertight as possible

[@user-sx9pr7iz5c]

So you worked in the ship channel when I did before they widened and deepened it they think ship suction is bad now they should’ve been out in Galveston bay before they wanted it and be overtaken by a loaded tanker

[@ZootyZoFo]

I worked on the push boats for a year before I went to college and it was a great experience, Big Tow was the name of the company.

[@capicolaspicy]

SO agree with you Sal - we need to stop being in such a bloody rush all the time, and take what ever time is needed to navigate safely in harbors and passageways!

[@SteamCrane]

$$$$$$$$

[@randomnickify]

But then then channel capacity will drop and we need more capacity, not less.

[@SteamCrane]

@@randomnickify Valid point.

[@josephp5909]

It's about to get so much worse. They are widening the channel to allow bigger ships through lol

[@gus473]

Good detective work sure changes the perspective of this story! Great use of the visuals! Thank you, Sal! 😎✌️

[@jefferyyoung6836]

I worked on a tugboat 47 years ago. I feel for the crew and family of the missing person….😢

[@williamstamper442]

5:13 "a weird little dynamic"... As a former deckhand of the JW Westcott Detroit River Mailboat back in 1988-1992 i know exactly the dynamic you are talking about

[@Robert-is7du]

That dynamic is the electrodynamically linked filing cabinet systems firing nuclear Mathematical holographic visual memory driven echo maps recording speeds which are Mathematical spin points tones coded ratios integrity organization of planetary Holographic Morphic resin Goo coded catalyst organization of directories as filing system management services We have two different types of systems operating here that are not compatible with each other which is based on Base 10 code which is a false light AI QI machine METATRONIC Digital 10 code 6666 https cycling at 2 2 2 Digital twin Black Cube Mirror checkerboard square codes and our original NOMI Noble Planet encryption coded Krystal Spiral Spiritual mathematical flow ratios structural engineering integrity organization of planetary Spheres eternal Unity wave directly tethered to the Primal Echo Core Still point CPU as the eternal source field of all sentient life form electrical power Those of us that are as Guardians can anchor our Over Unity Krystal Heart Key coded Auroras anchored to the Magnet0 Spheres Krystal Core and pull up and increase the Spin velocity to balance out the wobble system network coded implosion coded Base 10 55 Vampiric AI QI coded Trap experiment that spread to 2 other Matrices and we checkmated their fallen mathematical filing firing order coded false light Vacuum Otherwise this planet would of already experienced a pole shift We operate a true vacuum still point of balance between 2 planetary magnetic Hemispheres ATP Kreb cycle immunity function Firewall shield and 4 Gated Y's triangles quadrants set at 45° NOT 60 hertz Digital implosion coded network tech operators here The surface of this planet was spared the horror of having the planetary surface cleared so they could land and take over this planet Their system is a circuit breaker endocrine disruptors and that FAILED the LOGIC TEST results when we ran a diagnostic scan on their system failures When a planet goes into Fall status we get the call tones coded Encryption stealth code B cuz they cannot break our transcription to decipher source Code Eternal Sun Temples CPUS operating here as Guardian Alliance Shield security teams Cells are processors Firing order sequences of DNA software network communication codes is a failure to communicate Their Tone deaf They can't hear us They cannot translate That's what a CD T Tectonic plate translators are Translate the celestial creation spheres Matrices Gaias logic mathematical Spin coded mirrors above the water table grid repairs Fire and Ice Krystal River 🌈 Aurora's wave form joined as One Silver and gold mated Reuche corded Eternal CPU power Unit The Creative quotient electrical speed Vacuum PSI coded Neutrinos naturally gifting electrons without turbulence in perfect mathematical atmospheric structural engineering integrity organization of cellular awareness Mu ah VA 💋🌈 Aurora's Spiral Council quarantine security teams operating here

[@SteamCrane]

We used to watch you guys work. Pretty scary.

[@yegfreethinker]

That's the boat with a zipcode right? Do you know if there's an equivalent for us in Canada with a postal code? -- a CanadaPost Detroit mail boat for our side? Also thoughts are with the families & friends of these too soon departed mariners.

[@williamstamper442]

Thr Westcott is privately owned but with a postal contract. Zip is 48222. Address is foot of 24th st, Detroit, MI. We serviced all the Canadian vessels too when I worked there, but the mail was sent via the United States side. In the mailroom is wooden slots with all the active vessels operating during any given season. Each morning post office dropped off a couple or few large grey sacks with mail headed towards great lakes vessels. To address a vessel one puts the person's name, position or designation and the vessels official name. Outgoing mail was handled by the deckhand who recovered mail from a bucket on a rope. Once back at the station on land we had to rubber stamp the postage stamp then send them on their way thru the same grey mail sacks picked up by the post office daily. When I worked there we sold many things including Canadian cigarettes. At that time we had a deal with a local distributor and thru some kind of loophole those on the boats who purchased those Canadian smokes were getting them without paying a then new Canadian tax so they were relatively cheap. We sold Tons of Canadian cigs for a few seasons. Company made so much money even the lowly deckhand like myself got a $1200 Christmas bonus two years in a row! Hope I'm answering all your questions. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have and I'll do my very best to answer

[@williamstamper442]

Correction on address to mariners on the great lakes vessels... One was to put the person's name, then address to the Westcott facility, foot of 24th st, Detroit, mi 48222 and Then the name of the vessel.

[@Ashley-vm1bd]

My brother works the ship channel and he posted about this while happening live… he did mention the two boats hit but also suspected the captain of miss peggy may have been distracted

[@jonathanbrown3507]

Had to be. It was light boat he could’ve turned hard to starboard and run the boat aground. Miss Peggy was going two thirds the ships speed so it didn’t happen as fast as what some imagine.

[@fcon1350]

@@towboattrashyou’re wrong about that. The ship is operating in a narrow channel (rule 9). Ms Peggy is not supposed to impede the safe passage of a ship operating in a narrow channel.

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

@@towboattrash Agreed. Considering the max speed for that section of that channel is 7nm. They were going 10 nm+ had they been going the proper speed they would’ve passed at a different part of the channel with less restrictions . All on the pilot …. They know better. I’ve lived and worked on those waters for 17 years. Just moved a year ago.

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

@@towboattrash Maybe he could’ve. There is a yard right there that often has lighter ships moored and taking on . I don’t know if they were pushing or not. Or if they were on their way up to the Kirby Marine yard a couple miles up channel. But everything I’m saying is speculation based on local knowledge. I’ve met ships on that corner several times. ONE ship is a pucker moment TWO I couldn’t even imaging. But there is a legal speed factor involved here also. But I do agree going aground is far better than a collision .. but I’m not sure he could’ve gone aground right there.

[@towboattrash]

@@fcon1350 “Rule 9 (e) (ii) this rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under rule 13.”

[@Miata822]

an ugly incident. Miss Peggy was cornered.

[@p.k.5455]

You really make learning about shipping interesting and fun...and sad as well!

[@natopeacekeeper97]

Thanks again Sal for your updates and analysis. You are the go to person for shipping. Israel just struck a port in Yemen after a drone launched from there struck a building in Tel Aviv, killing one and injuring several others. Landlubber watching from North Carolina.

[@wgowshipping]

Video on that will be out tomorrow.

[@NellPlotts]

My son and DIL sailed as Deck Officers (Cal Maritime grads). When my DIL was on the bridge exiting the Channel she described the experience and noted that tha ships (tankers) could pass trays of cookies from one bridge wing to the next. This channel is dangerous!

[@Jonny_The_Organism]

As a retired farmer...steering a ship is like steering a combine harvester....when dumping on the move and on the turn....the tractor-trailer has to accelerate a little steer the opposite slightly and then back and off the gas again to then remain level....complicated stuff but easy when you know......otherwise it's stop dump with maybe a little reverse thrown in.... ok....not so easy as that on the water, I get it... But principal is similar

[@mikechristopherson6035]

Thanks for an excellent story and one that makes good use of your medium. I would hope at least a few Congressional staff members have you bookmarked.

[@mestep511]

You’re very good at getting a lot of information across and keeping us micro attention spanned folks tuned in. Great story.

[@chrisbynum4940]

If you are near Houston and want a great view of the Houston Ship Channel, go visit the San Jacinto Monument and go to the observation deck. The view from up there covers an interesting part of the channel. It's a very impressive waterway and takes skilled mariners to navigate.

[@nozrep]

absolutely. haven’t been in a while but i remember being mesmerized by it as a kid!

[@squid0013]

This happened in view of the monument

[@chrisbynum4940]

@@nozrep I just went up there a couple of weeks ago. It was a great afternoon of learning about the History of Texas and the impact of that area on the whole country.

[@nozrep]

i’m in Houston and I only just now heard about this through Professor Sal. Worked all day yesterday. Obviously quite a crazy week for the nation with… well you know… fight! fight! fight! So I think maybe I was paying attention to all the other things also. But anyway I worked yesterday and I had not watched local news yet. So thanks Professor!

[@chriskortan1530]

Isn't 10 knots extremely fast for such a narrow and heavily trafficked channel?

[@merchantmareed]

Pretty typical. They need the speed to execute the Texas chicken consistently. Too slow and I think the interactive forces die off and you would get ships running aground and colliding.

[@jamesphillips2285]

I wonder what the minimum maneuvering speed of the vessel is. Rudders are not as effective at low speeds.

[@michaelcase8574]

Professional pilots on both ships. Someone may be in trouble unless the Master interfered with the orders of the Pilot.

[@Commandoj251]

That’s what I’m saying, 10 knots in that thin houston channel?? Almost seemed similar to Charleston ship flying down the river.

[@squid0013]

​@WildKard123 they slow tremendously above Lynchburg and plan meeting better

[@chillysourdough8924]

Whether it hit the tug or swamped her, as the overtaking vessel, isn't the Librarian ship responsible for the accident? Why didn't they slow down or ask the tug to speed up if possible?

[@curtisroberts9137]

@@chillysourdough8924 it's almost as if they didn't even see her there or notice a thud going over her

[@dangvorbei5304]

I doubt they even saw her. Did they hear and feel impact, though?

[@curtisroberts9137]

@@dangvorbei5304 right? Crazy! I want to hear the tug story. Did they see it coming? What was their reaction besides soiling their undies? I also hope the 5th man is found alive and well

[@davidgoodnow269]

The freighter has a responsibility to comport its speed and maneuvers in the channel. There is an issue of decreased maneuverability at certain speeds, and it may be that the Captain and pilot were limited by the channel to speeds that allowed them to make the channel's turns; but I would guess they were well above the lower (speed) limit of necessary maneuverability at ten knots. Tugs aren't fast. I am curious indeed if there is any recorded advisory communication traffic between Miss Peggy and Yang Tze VII. My guess is all eyes were on the big LNG carrier, because a collision with that would destroy most of the City of Houston.

[@jeffhicks2070]

They saw her thats what radar is for ​@@dangvorbei5304

[@mikedx2706]

A small ship never stands a chance against a larger ship. Regardless of maritime rules about which ship has the right of way, being right doesn't save your ship when you get run over by a larger ship. You just become "dead right."

[@firebush1343]

Yield to tonnage. You never have right of way over a larger ship.

[@robertlevine2152]

@@mikedx2706 I had a sailboat and sailed mostly on San Diego Bay. Commercial ships were and far between, but naval vessels regularly sailed in and of port. For vessels similar in size to my 27' sailboat I followed the Rules of the Road, and kept a careful watch. When it came to large steel vessels I headed outside the buoys and clear of the path of oncoming ships. The score will always be the same: 6,000 ton destroyer 1 27' sailboat 0

[@jaredengberg9295]

The miss peggy is not a small ship. It is a small towboat hundreds of times smaller with a tiny little draft and easily could have gotten out of the way if they were paying any attention.

[@TheAlphahirogen]

My instructor pilot when I was first learning had a saying, "you can't TAKE the right of way, you can only GIVE it." Has stuck with me in ever since.

[@yuliysolos157]

Very sad indeed I was also on my vessel during this happening. The whole ship channel had shutdown for like 3 days. Apparently the larger ship that collided with miss Peggy lost its steering, ssme as the other ships that had had collisions in months prior to this. Very sad a family lost their son.

[@randallreed9048]

Sal, I watch your presentations and I am always learning more. Thank you for your wisdom!

[@sandymj3w633]

Thank you, Sal, for reporting on this. We wouldn't hear about it otherwise. I'm guessing with technology, captains/pilots don't feel the need to be as vigilant as in the past. Is a larger ship going 6-7 knots the normal speed for the shipping lane? I don't suppose widening the shipping lane would really help in the long run either.

[@davepannekoek1562]

Great coverage and walk through of the incident Sal. This 'never been a mariner' chap finds this stuff fascinating. The economy runs on transportation systems so this stuff actually matters even though its kind of 'invisible' in the taken for grant way until failures occur.

[@burryhulbertjr1429]

I'm a ground man always was reason for myself joking Army. I'm scared of big water. But with this said,I'm smart enough...To know shipping is proven in time! !! Nations have to have them. You are 199.9999% we have to get it better. Remember covid,n ships not allowed to port ,unload,. Your the best Sal!! Thankyou!!

[@michaelimbesi2314]

This sounds like an issue where the fault could possibly lie with one of three entities: either the Houston pilot is at fault for making a navigational error, or the Yangtze 7’s helmsman or lookouts were at fault for failing to correctly carry out the pilot’s orders, or the Miss Peggy’s crew were at fault for failing to get out of the Yangtze 7’s way (since she was in a channel).

[@PaulCashman]

Don't see any way Peggy could have gotten out of the way, aside from hard acceleration. Their movement was blocked to port (by the onrushing freighter) and starboard (edge of the channel).

[@Hybris51129]

@@PaulCashman The question should be asked why didn't the Peggy notice that they had faster traffic closing in behind them?

[@milwaukeeroadjim9253]

I remember canoeing in the Mississippi in northern Illinois when barges and push boat came by. We turned to hit the waves at 90 degrees and all was well. Don't turn and you capsize

[@slidnwiththebennetts513]

Thank you for clarifying a lot for us Mr. Sal. That was my brother that lost his young life just 25 years young. As a family we are confused with very little info. Greatly appreciated.

[@clarkbourgeois7661]

@slidnwiththebennetts513 Very sorry for your loss. A tragedy that should not have happened.

[@boba2783]

Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends

[@paultranchell8927]

Sal, thanks for your insight.

[@gsftom]

Grew up on the nearest bay. Sailed, canoed, motor boated that water and grew up going to the dredged island where the tug sank. I swam across the connected bay a few times in the middle of the night alone just because and rode my bike across the Lynchburg ferry to hang out and the monument and Battleship Texas. Used to run up the ship channel and San Jacinto river in the middle of the night. Ran out of gas one night dead center in the ship channel and a tow boat stopped and gave me 2 gallons of gas at 3 am. I miss those days.

[@Miner-dyne]

Thanks for bringing us the news. You might consider a dive into AIS. AtoN, MOB, and SART applications are particularly helpful. I think people would be surprised at how even a text display can make a difference when used. Often saving lives.

[@howardnielsen6220]

Professor Sal thank you for the clear explanation

[@adrianklaver113]

Just to be clear the report said 4 people where recovered and stabilized and one was missing. I am not seeing a report of 4 dead, was there a subsequent report that changed the status of the recovered?

[@wgowshipping]

No. Did it speak wrong. Where did I say that?

[@HankHillspimphand]

@@wgowshipping 7:35+ you miss speak and say 4 deaths

[@ANIMOUS8]

​@@wgowshipping a few seconds after 7:28 you stated that there was the death of 4 mariners.

[@adrianklaver113]

At kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXW6c4Sblsp3atE and kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXW6c4Sblsp3atE

[@wgowshipping]

Thanks to all. I have edited out the part and it should be updated shortly.

[@kevinconville3199]

Throughout our country and everywhere else, it seems nobody wants to adhere to regulations!

[@squid0013]

Bingo

[@garycallihan4206]

With an open border, anything can occur and will be enthusiastically embtaced.

[@Hybris51129]

One question I feel needs to also be asked is where is Miss Peggy's captain/master's attention? Surely at some point you will look behind you to see what traffic is behind your vessel in the channel and notice that you have a large ship that is moving faster than you are.

[@jeffhicks2070]

Did you not see where he was at??WHAT the hell is he supposed to do tell us there Sherlock since you made such a comment

[@Hybris51129]

@@jeffhicks2070 Speed up from 6 knots to 10 knots, radio to the Yangzi and inform them that they are closing in on their stern, potentially they could even leave the channel since they are a much shallower draft vessel as Sal mentioned and get out of the way of the Yangzi. Is that good enough for you Sherlock or do I need to use smaller words next time?

[@squid0013]

​@@Hybris51129you arent leaving the channel there...its 4 feet deep outside the beacons the miss Peggy drew 8

[@daviddupre5021]

Jeff Hicks does not know what he is talking about. I have been running the ship channel for many years, you are correct, miss Peggy should have been more aware of the danger and could have easily turned hard to starboard and went out of channel to shallow water where the ship could not get anywhere near him. That boat may have grounded, but the ship would have grounded way sooner.

[@Kylroyboi]

I work a fleet tow boat in that area. My opinion is that the ship pilot saw the Mrs Peggy on the edge of the barge channel and assumed she would stay there. He lost sight, radar and mental tracking of that towboat and probably didn’t make passing arrangements. The ship pilot was distracted by the passing made of the outbound ship, and simply forgot about the small tow boat. The Houston Ship Pilots have a bad culture of snooty, holier than thou attitude when it comes to dealing with tow boats. To them, tow boats are a nuisance. That attitude translates directly into incidents like this.

[@icare7151]

Thank you Dr. Sal. Your videos are excellent bringing maritime awareness on all levels, great training and insight for everyone.

[@johngrimm511]

Thank you Sal.

[@revmansolution]

Should be interesting to hear. what the rescued have to say. Excellent report

[@squid0013]

Yes it will...itll be a while though

[@boeingseven6939]

Thanks again Sal. Always the friendly reminder about these realities!

[@SoloVision42]

I live here in Houston and this by far is the best news regarding this incident! Nothing like this was reported!

[@refurbansuburban]

Thanks for letting us know about this. Nice investigation. Well done!

[@irondarknessdarkness8900]

once again real reporting of happenings unlike the so called news services who blab just about anything. i come here for the shipping and blancolerio for air transport and railcams for rail traffic. keep it up Sal

[@williamjmccartan8879]

Thank you for sharing your time and work Sal, really informative sir, peace

[@robertshelton4869]

I was a witness to the incident. I was in the Monument Inn Restaurant and saw the push boat very close to the bow of the bulk carrier and the push boat was sucked around the front and down under the bow of the bulk carrier. The bulk carrier continued forward and by the time the bulk carrier was past, all I could see was the top of the push boat. The red/black tugboat was close by and went to assist.

[@StevenPalmer-cs5ix]

Historically bulkers are the bottom of the deep sea food chain. They pay the lowest wages, have low power to weight ratios due to carrying relatively low value cargo. The last of the tall ships engaged in international cargo trade carried bulk cargoes. A great video sold by Mystic Seaport is "Around Cape Horn" involving the Peking.

[@beverlyreiner-baillargeon6205]

Sal we would know any of this if it wasn't for you. Thanks Sal 👍🚢

[@theblackbear211]

Thanks for the report Sal.

[@jonjones3691]

Great job Sal! I read the VTS advisories and channel closures as they were issued, but couldn't find more info.

[@IsaacConejo]

You should definitely go live next time you're about to figure something like this out that would be an amazing process to watch.

[@Mars-77]

I remember back in the late 70s, we went out into Lake Michigan to pick up an empty barge. It was a little scary, to say the least.

[@bluewater2232]

Think it is hard to necessarily correlate both accidents with ship management. Both were in pilotage waters. In the case of Yangtze 7, was the tow pushing barges or simply a light boat? What were the vhf communications between the pilot and the tow? For Yangtze 6, was there mechanical failure or did the pilot miss the turn similar to the 2022 Chesapeake bay ship grounding? Lots of questions until a NTSB report is released

[@Commandoj251]

Spicy news!!! Thanks from Houston! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@greenthing99100]

An uncomfortable but vitally important episode Sal, there is no doubt that, prior to the existence of your channel with its international reach, this incident would have been local headlines, but here in the UK it would almost certainly gone unreported, unremarked, unnoticed ... what you are doing is raising awareness of maritime risks which my grandfathers would have been very familiar [one a hereditary waterman and lighterman on the Thames, and the other senior food and beverage manager on the original Cunard QM and QE]

[@gonglfg6483]

Thank you Sal! Great explanation and graphics... worth taking the 12 minutes to watch!

[@jamesmterrell]

Questions (I am not familiar with local knowledge in the channel): 1. What is the speed limit? The overtake on the tow is approx 2 it's. The dynamics on the tow are going to be significant. 2. Why didn't Yanksee 7 slow down in such an obvious extremis, or near extremist situation? 3. Why didn't both large ships slow down until the situation relaxed?

[@squid0013]

1, the only speed limit is per rule 6 and 33cfr162.75. Speed shall be such that the passing of the vessel doesn't cause damage to other vessels or structures. 2, the Y7 would have needed to slow about a mile or so farther back toward the middle crossover. 3 the better option is don't meet another vessel in the bend. It gives better control to meet in the straight, and more room for error. There have been several accidents relating to meeting in the bends in recent times (both ships and tug/barge). It's a smart idea to slow down and meet in the straight

[@Shipspotting_Vietnam]

Thanks Sal for sharing your analyses!!! very interresting story!

[@johnrday2023]

Great comments and explanations, Sol .

[@WritesWithCare]

With greater volume combined with longer, less efficient routes thanks to the Houthi, are crews a little more exhausted than usual? Are they pressured to move a bit faster and take slightly greater risks?

[@sfperalta]

I'm just a former weekend sailboater, but 8 kts sounds kind of fast in a channel! Especially when there are several turns in narrow lanes and the vessel is that large. Like Sal said, the speed of the boat can create extra deflection forces on the bow & stern. Sounds like either the operators aren't respecting the safety rules or the rules need to be changed.

[@kareno8634]

*Thanks!* Enjoy Learning about these Charts, uses & Traffic. _tho, not crashes._ Beginning to seem more like *Roller Derby 8{\* from 'high seas' in tight turns.

[@dharmadove]

Love your channel. See you went to Campbell University (College...). My ex brother in law (RIP) and my sister both graduated from there in the early 70's. Spent time there myself visiting friends and my oldest son went to Basketball School when he was a kid. Live in Vancouver, Washington with my beloved Columbia River 1/2 mile away, spend alot of time there day and night at times watching, photographing the boats, ships and barges. Great place... Again, thanks for your insight!

[@wgowshipping]

I am actually the Chair of the Department of History, Criminal Justice and Political Science at Campbell University.

[@PeteDeKiwi]

Great information, well presented and on point commentary. Thanks!

[@tinacatharinaeden2711]

So sad, that little ferry boat. Condolences to the person's family who was lost.

[@erichaynes5826]

Didn’t know Uncle Hank knew so much about this stuff.

[@wgowshipping]

Better Call Sal!

[@robertjeffcoat441]

The first report I saw talked about a collision with another vessel. I was surprised a tug boat could capsize. It was a larger vessel that collided and they need to issue a warrant for that captain and crew.

[@albatrosseagle8798]

We were subjected to shipping delays back in 2021 and that was on the coasts. Now this could lock down shipping throughout the US if no one is going to step up and watch for dangerous situations en route

[@rebeccaweil1]

I am Deeply sorry for the loss of the seaman

[@rodkennedy9800]

Possibly the imposition of speed limits or time corridors plus other restrictions/oversight may go some way to reducing the risk of similar incidents occurring!

[@glennchartrand5411]

Lower speed would actually make the big haulers more dangerous because it reduces the effectiveness of the rudder and wind will just blow them around more

[@squid0013]

​@@glennchartrand5411actually no it wouldn't. Slower allows the use of throttle to move the stern around, without as much risk of sheer

[@glennchartrand5411]

@@squid0013 Ships don't have outboard motors. The rudder doesn't work if the ship isn't moving

[@Nwmariner]

@@glennchartrand5411 A ship like this doesn't need 10kts to steer effectively. 6-7 is more than adequate for excellent rudder response.

[@glennchartrand5411]

@@Nwmariner 10kts is 12mph/20kph Forklifts move faster than that.

[@crice4148]

I worked as a commercial diver in Galveston Bay and the Houston ship channel. The wake is no joke.

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

Everyone who drives on an Interstate or Highway knows what that feels like. Passing an 18-wheeler at speed you will first get low pressure. As you pass it the pressure rises and you get pushed away.

[@CaptainJerry-]

AIS (tracking logs) has changed culpability in marine accident investigations.

[@gullreefclub]

The only problem with AIS logs are often not very accurate I.E. where AIS reports the location of a vessel is not where the vehicle actually is because AIS is often not using a D-GPS information

[@squid0013]

​@@gullreefclubhouston is a D-gps area

[@nozrep]

@@squid00134th largest city in America and one of the top 10 ports in America I’d opine they better have good GPS tracking. No the best GPS tracking. But anyway, I admit I have no idea what the difference between regular GPS is and DGPS is.

[@squid0013]

​@nozrep d stands for differential. It gives extra accuracy down to around 10 cm or so from 3-5 meters. Basicly pin point accuracy. The way it works is, your standard gps triangulates off of satellites, it needs 3 to get a fix. The more it has the more accurate. It determines direction and distance to the satellites then gives a fix. The differential system is based on the satellites with a correction signal from a ground based station near by....for the most part most of the coast of America is under DGPS coverage.

[@squid0013]

​@@gullreefclubalso the AIS systems are usually running off of the GPS unit which gives the accuracy

[@user-kt9kj1vn2k]

In the eighties We were inbound and the inbound tow ahead of us got ran over by outbound tanker in the San Jacinto bend. The entire crew made it to shore. Unfortunately the Captain suffered a fatal heart attack on the bank. Never liked running the Houston ship channel or the Mississippi. Had many close calls.

[@michaelmcculley7880]

It is crazy as hell thru there! Even watching from the shore and all the different size ships. We did a lot of this in the Navy. The Panama Canal and it's locks were rad!

[@blaydCA]

I thought FOUR were rescued with one missing?? What am I missing here?

[@wgowshipping]

I must have misspoke. When did I say it?

[@Klub4143]

@@wgowshipping7:35 death of 4

[@Klub4143]

@@wgowshipping0:57 4 of 5 recovered from water

[@blaydCA]

Take 2? Stuff happens.

[@wgowshipping]

Editing it out now. Thanks for catching it.

[@mellissadalby1402]

It's almost as if Yangze "body checked" Miss Peggy "into the wall" in hockey terms. Mr. Sal, the news is reporting 4 crewmen recovered and one missing. Are you sure of 4 dead, or was that a senior moment?

[@SeanAwning-er4ww]

More like Boarding. 5 minutes and an ejection.

[@davidr3431]

I believe he stated 4 crew were recovered and 1 was still missing

[@davidr3431]

Sorry, just read we’re he had already edited the video before I watched it. My bad

[@robertlevine2152]

Sal, Am I missing something here? Where is the USCG? Do they operate a Vessel Traffic System (VTS) for Houston? If not, who operates the VTS? Certainly, the pilot should have been aware they were overtaking the towboat. Were the two vessels in contact with each other? Should the USCG be part of Homeland Security? Going back 50 years the USCG was part of the Department of Transportation. They were responsible for all commercial vessels on navigable waters. They performed oversight of commercial vessel construction and repair of US vessels in both foreign and domestic shipyards. Merchant Marine Technical was responsible for regulation, plan approval, and inspection. They were responsible for the oversight of maritime operations through the District Offices, the Captain of the Port, and the Office of Marine Inspection. They were responsible for representing the US at the International Maritime Organization. They were responsible for vessel and crew documentation. Ice breaking, maintenance of navigation aids including LORAN C, and maritime rescue were all under their purview. In the 1960s and 1970s environmental protection. Law enforcement and drug enforcement were their responsibility but it was not as dominant as is today. As pretty much an outside observer, I believe the USCG's current dominant responsibility is law enforcement as part of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard's other responsibilities seem to be falling into a distant second. Major incidents of late are signs of an organization that is overworked and spread too thin. Back in the 1980s when the USCG started closing local merchant marine technical (mmt) offices in favor of a single Merchant Marine Technical Office in Washington D.C. was an early sign. It was clear in the late 1990s when the USCG started delegating plan approval and inspection to a Classification Society chosen by the vessel owner that the USCG's focus had changed. The evolution of the USCG over the past 50 years would make a good PhD thesis for one of your students.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

🙇🏽‍♂️ I'm quite sure there are people who will be asking this week the same question about the Secret Service. Should they be part of Homeland Security? Should they both be back at the Treasury department?

[@robertlevine2152]

@WALTERBROADDUS It's been a long time since the USCG was in the Treasury Department. Their last home was in the Department of Transportation. The shame of the matter is that Congress, i.e. Jordon, Comer, MTG, Goetz, will blame Mayorkis (sp?), and not those responsible for the moves.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@robertlevine2152 well Homeland Security definitely is a mishmash of agencies. At last count, 22.....🤷🏽‍♂️

[@squid0013]

Who runs VTS Houston? The USCG. They don't direct movements, the advise of movements that are occurring around with the other ships in the area

[@robertlevine2152]

@squid0013 Yes, the VTS is there to advise, only. And, this question has been raised over and over, why didn't they warn Miss Peggy or the larger ship of the danger? The VTS operation should be well-schooled in situational awareness. If their purpose is to check vessels in and out of the VTS, we are wasting untold millions of dollars.

[@bushwackcreek]

Glad you mentioned the "Texas Chicken" maneuver.

[@ZootyZoFo]

My father was legal counsel for Bay Houston who owns half of the tugs in the port of Houston and back in the 90’s one of their boats got hit by a large ship which drove it all the way into the bottom of the ship channel. The cook was at the wheel when it happened and he was the only survivor, he also had a pilots license so it was legit but he went into a mental hospital after that and retired taking the company & SSI for everything he could.

[@evgeny4303]

Again, “flag the ship”… flag your pilot service!!! Degradation of pilot’s qualifications around the world and US particularly is obvious! But it is much more convenient to blame a ship…

[@texas_stone_lets_go_brandon]

GREAT video!! I live and work in this area. Very interesting to see what actually happened.

[@marionnadeau8457]

Great visuals and explanation, Sal! Thanks!

[@wgowshipping]

Glad you liked it!

[@pamelaforrest1622]

great information - thanks for sharing

[@bubbaricord]

I'd love to hear the agreement that was made for overtaking. I wasn't there but by looking at this I'd say the yangzee should've pulled back and made a safe passage for the peggy and the southbound instead of barreling through.

[@oldgandy5355]

We are seeing more incidents lately involving collisions and near misses. Could this situation be somewhat mitigated by slowing the allowed speed down to 5 kts max? or would this make steering less responsive?

[@squid0013]

100% could

[@charliecutter3078]

So looking at the video, as the two ships met in the channel (not a crossing as you stated), the YANGZE 7 was maintaining a position pretty well on the East side of the channel as was the Miss Peggy. As the bows of the two meeting ship were abeam of each other, the effect of the bows being pushed apart can be seen. It should be noted at that point, the stern of the YANGZE 7 was right up against the East side of the channel so any left rudder would be countered by the stern coming up against the East bank. The YANGZE 7 started to try to turn left but then the sterns were abeam of each other, the suction between the sterns combined with the stern being so close to the bank probably made it extremely difficult for the YANGZE 7 to come left. I would not be surprised if they were using as much as left 30-35 rudder trying to turn to the left but the hydraulic forces of the bank and the other ship made is very difficult to move the stern to the right to accelerate the turn. When realizing that they were not going to avoid the tug that was fine on their starboard bow, the YANGZE 7 continued to try to make the turn and bring the push boat down the Starboard side but instead, it appears they ran over the tug with loss of life. I think this is going to be a major problem for the Master of the YANGZE 7 as he was required to avoid Miss Peggy but instead ran over them. What we can't see from this video is what was done to try to avoid the tug. Was engine speed adjusted, what were the rudder commands, did they consider just allowing the vessel to ground to avoid the tow boat? All these are questions that the investigation will hopefully reveal.

[@johnsmith7345]

whats going on with the Russian oil tanker CHIOS Lion attacked in the Red Sea by the Houthis ?

[@persistentwind]

Lol, friendly fire?

[@tomhurley3938]

Sal, No VTS? Security Calls? Never been in the Houston ship channel, but I believe its #1 in petro traffic. VTS there sounds as critical as here in the SF bay and delta.

[@squid0013]

Vts shut down traffic as soon as it happend

[@mattdena8070]

This sad. My company works on their boats, their engine alarm panels are from us, which we frequently visit and repair, including the miss Peggy. I’ve personally been on miss Peggy 100s of times, as well as many of other Ingram boats. I’ve been half tempted to call the port engineer, our contact there, but I’m sure he’s got a lot on his plate at the moment. Monday when I’m back in shop I’m sure word will have spread on the exact details.

[@bayouboyjp1324]

One key piece of information you left out is the ship was navigating under the instructions of a pilot local to the Houston area. They get on outside of Galveston and ride to their destination. Houston pilots are notoriously arrogant and cocky and think they own the water. I’m a captain in the Houston area and have first hand experience with them. Very few of them are courteous. I also was with the crew of the Miss Peggy every day at the HFS dock, very good group of guys. Such a sad story

[@squid0013]

I'm with you. I know several pilots snd they are generally down to earth, and will help me with passing/overtake (I work houston too), but many have that attitude you speak of

[@bayouboyjp1324]

@@squid0013 what boat do you ride?

[@wgowshipping]

I believe that I mentioned that pilots were onboard both of the large ships. If I didn't that was my error.

[@gpoplingregpoplin5682]

As always, Sal, thank you for the insight. In your opinion, which was not shared in the video- what could’ve been done to avoid this tragic incident?

[@charlesbarry9194]

This is my first time watching the actual AIS video and I'm leaving this up to investigators to decide but the Miss Peggy wasn't as far over as they should've been. They were straddling the edge of the "ships lane" not their lane. That's probably what the ship was calling them to say but nobody on the Miss Peggy was answering. It's unfortunate someone lost their life when the boat sank.

[@Richard-od7yd]

I've always wondered why so little freeboard on a river tug ? Doesn't a pickup in the Wind cause higher waves ?

[@squid0013]

It's an inland only boat. They are built to be in calm water

[@towboattrash]

Notice the George M change course towards the miss peggy before the rose point display shows the ships bow reach the miss oeggy. I think there was vhf radio chatter that either alerted the George M or(the ais not giving exact position), the captain on the George M saw the bow of the ship hit the miss peggy.

[@danielseelye6005]

My question would be, "Why didn't the Miss Peggy go East to get out of the main channel when the LNG and Yangtze 7 were cornering her? She went off the channel when going by that first freighter before the port turn, and with her being much more shallow draft, it looks like the water near those channel islands weren't super shallow?

[@ThePfirefighter2]

It does get shallow quickly and there is rock rip rap.

[@squid0013]

You can't run out of the channel there

[@jeffhicks2070]

Why should she ,she shouldn't have to run aground because the ship pilot can't seem to steer the ship ,they sure as hell won't slow down at all

[@danielseelye6005]

@@jeffhicks2070 Better to run aground and be salvageable without the crew going into the drink than the alternative, I would think.

[@johnfitzpatrick3416]

Great break down Sal! I’m curious to why Miss Peggy’s watchstander didn’t see the peril she was in & exit the channel to her right temporarily unless she was pushing a barge?

[@jeffhicks2070]

So she could run aground makes no sense ,plus good way for pilot or captain to lose a job they were as far to side of channel as possible they shouldn't have to leave the channel for ship or anything else ,isn't how that works .

[@johnfitzpatrick3416]

@@jeffhicks2070 I think she had plenty of water for herself outside the channel it’s not like she’s got a 24’ plus draft, ask Sal

[@squid0013]

​@@johnfitzpatrick3416she didn't have room yhere...she would have run around right at the beacon and have her stern clipped