Back in August of 2010, I made a prediction [here]:
I’m going on the record now as saying that the USCG will impose some kind of policy restricting the use of cell phones on commercial vessels within 24 months. If we learn that the tugboat driver in Philly who hit that Duck Boat last month was using his cell phone, I predict an outright ban on cell phone use while at the wheel of a tow/tug boat.
This week, the NTSB released a Factual Report of Group Chairman about that incident, and we learn that not only was the Mate of the tugboat talking on his phone at the time of the collision, but the deckhand was using his phone too. (Ed note: to be fair, the Mate was dealing with a serious family emergency, which doesn’t exonerate him, but at least provides us with a context for his distraction; i.e. he wasn’t just having a casual conversation, but was so engrossed in a family emergency that his phone was ringing off the hook that morning, and certainly his mind was not focused on the task of piloting the tug. In hindsight, it would have been good had he informed the Master of his situation, and perhaps asked for some help for this watch that morning.)
Ok- so back in August, I didn’t predict that he was on the phone; my prediction was about the Coast Guard’s response if they learn he was. And now we have. I think from the preliminary facts, it’s reasonable to conclude that the Mate was distracted by his phone calls, and that was a contributing factor to the collision.
So, by March of 2013, I think we will see some kind of official policy or regulation about commercial vessels and cellphone use while on duty in the wheelhouse. I still say they won’t create any policy that affects recreational boaters.
Plenty of news reports are carrying this news, like this one. Search Google News if you want more.
Full list of all NTSB documents pertaining to this incident available here
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