Phone Distraction Blamed for Fatal Houston Ship Channel Collision

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says a pilot's phone call and failure to maintain a proper lookout contributed to a deadly 2024 collision in the Houston Ship Channel that killed one crew member.

A 39-minute phone call and lack of a proper lookout helped set the stage for the deadly July 19, 2024, collision between the bulk carrier Yangze 7 and towing vessel Miss Peggy near Lynchburg, Texas. Both vessels were inbound when they collided.

The Miss Peggy capsized and sank with five crewmembers aboard. Four were rescued by a good Samaritan Vessel, including one who suffered serious injuries. The fifth crewmember was later found dead inside the wreckage.

Investigators found that the pilot directing the Yangze 7 had spent 39 minutes on a non-operational phone call with another pilot who was navigating a different vessel. The call ended just two minutes and 16 seconds before the collision.

The NTSB determined the distraction left the Yangze 7 pilot unaware that the Miss Peggy was in its path.

But investigators found problems aboard both vessels. The Miss Peggy's captain failed to detect the Yangze 7 approaching from behind, while the Yangze 7 bridge team did not spot the towing vessel until it was less than a ship's length away.

The NTSB issued safety recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard and American Pilots Association, calling for restrictions on non-operational cellphone use by pilots actively directing vessels.

The agency said personal electronic-device distraction was a contributing factor or probable cause in at least 10 marine casualties between 2009 and 2024, resulting in three deaths and 45 injuries.