Towing Vessel Flooded Due to Hull Damage, NTSB Investigation Finds

The towing vessel Uncle Blue was towing one empty barge on March 26, 2023, when the vessel started flooding. When the vessel was lifted by crane throughout salvage, NTSB investigators famous water pouring from holes within the portside shell plating in its lazarette.

Investigators discovered the practically 60-year-old vessel had quite a few wastage holes within the hull and doubler plates put in close to the wastage holes. Given the vessel’s age, the holes discovered within the hull, and the presence of the double plates, investigators decided that the hull was not adequately maintained.