The collision happened on July 19, 2024. The bulk carrier Yangze 7 and the towboat Miss Peggy collided near Lynchburg. The towboat with five people on board capsized. Four people who were on the towboat were rescued by good Samaritans. A fifth was later found dead.<\/p>\n
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During their investigation, the NTSB determined the pilot directing the bulk carrier was on a 39-minute \u201cnon-operational\u201d phone call with another pilot. It was a call that the NTSB said ended a little more than two minutes before the collision, leaving the pilot unaware of the towboat. \u00a0Investigators say that bulk carrier\u2019s bridge team knew the pilot was on a phone call, and at least one team member knew it was a personal call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The NTSB also reported that neither ship kept a proper lookout. The towboat didn\u2019t detect the bulk carrier, which was approaching from behind. Investigators also determined the bulk carrier\u2019s bridge team didn\u2019t see the towboat until it was less than a ship\u2019s length ahead.<\/p>\n
Cellphone use and lack of proper lookout led to 2024 fatal vessel collision in the Houston Ship Channel. NTSB issues new recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Pilots\u2019 Association. https:\/\/t.co\/eIjyJsZslf<\/a> \u2014 NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) August 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe determined that the probable cause of the collision between the bulk carrier Yangze 7\u00a0and towing vessel Miss Peggy was the loss of situation awareness of the Houston pilot, the Yangze 7 bridge team, and the captain of the Miss Peggy due to a failure to maintain a proper lookout,\u201d the NTSB said in a press release. \u201cContributing to the pilot\u2019s inadequate lookout was distraction caused by extended nonoperational cell phone use. Contributing to the pilot\u2019s nonoperational cell phone use was the lack of prohibition by the Houston Pilots against the use of personal electronic devices by its pilots actively directing the movement of a vessel.\u201d<\/p>\n Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at\u00a0newstips@khou.com<\/a>\u00a0or call 713-521-4310 and include your name and the best way to reach you.<\/p>\n
Investigation webpage: https:\/\/t.co\/iTuEvXDq2b<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Aujeb7uDBF<\/a><\/p>\n