Crane Kills Tugboat Captain

Crane Kills Tugboat Captain
Florida Avenue Bridge

A 46-year-old tugboat captain, Michael Collins, died as a result of injuries he sustained when a crane fell on the tugboat he was steering while it was passing under the Florida Avenue Bridge, New Orleans.


Matt Gresham, Spokesman for the Port of New Orleans, said that prior to the accident the tugboat Cory Michael was pushing a barge with a crane southbound on the Industrial Canal.

Gresham went on to say that Collins had asked for the Florida Avenue Bridge to be lifted so he could pass, and that the bridge was raised higher than requested.

Jonathan Lally, Coast Guard spokesman said that the crane hit the bridge and then fell on the tugboat’s wheelhouse, trapping Collins inside.

The tugboat was then towed to the pier, where the New Orleans Fire Department pulled Collins out from the wheelhouse.

“The US Coast Guard offers its condolences to the friends and family of this captain,” Lally said. “When tragedy strikes, it affects a lot of people.”

The Coast Guard said it would carry out an investigation into what had led to this fatality.

[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, August 15, 2014; Image: Port of New Orleans