Foundering of the M/V Maryland in Albemarle Sound, North Carolina on 18 December 1971 with Loss of Life.
Abstract
On December 18, 1971, as the uninspected motor vessel MARYLAND, towing the barge BALTIMORE No. 2, proceeded into Albemarle Sound, N.C., high tripping forces imparted by the hawser and wind caused the MARYLAND to heel to port for more than two hours, which led to flooding and the subsequent sinking of the MARYLAND. The crew was unable to broadcast a distress message because electrical power to the radio had been lost. As a result of late and disorganized efforts to abandon ship, most crewmembers were forced to enter the cold water of Albemarle Sound without suitable life preservers. By the time a passing yacht came upon the casualty, exposure and drowning had killed six of the seven crewmembers. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this casualty was the fact that the portside watertight door which led from the weatherdeck to the lower crew berthing compartment was left open at some time while the vessel was heeled over to port. This provided a relatively low point of water ingress, and the subsequent flooding sank the vessel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0781400
Entities
Organizations
- United States Coast Guard