Towing & Ship-Assist · Emergencies
If an unmanned barge breaks away from the tow in a seaway, the safest first action is generally to:
- AImmediately put a crewmember aboard the drifting barge
- BMaintain control and track the barge while assessing weather, traffic, and a safe recovery plan, and notify the Coast Guard as appropriate✓ Correct
- CAbandon the barge and proceed to port
- DIncrease speed and ram the barge to stop it
Explanation
Boarding a drifting barge in a seaway is extremely hazardous. The prudent approach is to keep the barge in sight, evaluate conditions, plan a controlled re-connection (often using the retrieval gear), and notify authorities of a hazard to navigation.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9)
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