TOM FRAZIER

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NTSB published report into grounding incident

On June 25, 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its report into the grounding of the 'Tom Frazier' on a submerged jetty in the Ohio Riveon Feb 10, 2024, after the captain navigated too close to the riverbank. The tug was pushing 15 empty hopper barges near Portsmouth, Ohio, when it struck the stone jetty, causing significant damage to the vessel’s hull plating, framing, and bulkheads. The incident resulted in the flooding of several compartments and damages estimated at more than $250,000. The NTSB investigators found that while approaching the U.S. Grant Bridge, the captain made passing arrangements with another tow, the 'Debi Sharp', which was downbound pushing 25 barges. To facilitate this passing, the captain maneuvered the 'Tom Frazier' to port, towards the right descending bank of the river. The maneuver was outside the charted 9-foot-depth contour line and too close to two stone jetties, which were submerged at the time. The jetties were charted on the electronic navigation chart and visible on the vessel’s electronic charting system, but the captain did not identify the hazard. The river level was 19.2 feet at the Portsmouth gauge, completely submerging the stone jetties that extended approximately 55 feet from the riverbank. These structures, designed to protect nearby marinas from current and debris, were marked on navigation charts. The vessel began taking on water after grounding, developing a starboard list as the engine room flooded. All nine crew members were safely evacuated to shore by local first responders, individuals ashore, and crews from nearby vessels. Despite having 71,694 gallons of diesel fuel and various oils onboard, the environmental impact was limited to approximately five gallons of oil released during engine room dewatering operations. The 'Tom Frazier' remained aground for three days until rising water levels assisted salvage operations on Feb 13. The vessel was then towed to a drydock in South Point, Ohio. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the location where the incident occurred is commonly used by upbound vessels to make way for downbound vessels, which have right-of-way when navigating the bridges in the area. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA24FM024.aspx

Rain helped to refloat tug

Rain with rising water levels has helped to refloat the beached 'Tom Frazier' on the Ohio River in the night of Feb 12. The vessel has regained its buoyancy and was now getting ready for repairs to be made. The ship started taking on water after hitting an unknown object while navigating the Ohio River at low water levels on Feb 10 at around 8 p.m. with 15 crew members on board. In a swift and decisive move, the captain of the 'Tom Frazier' beached the vessel to prevent the sinking of teh ship, which had around 73,000 gallons of diesel fuel and other lubricants on board, and thus minimized the risk of these pollutants spilling into the river. Report with photo: https://bnnbreaking.com/breaking-news/quick-thinking-and-bravery-the-rescue-mission-of-the-sinking-tom-frazier-on-the-ohio-river

Tug sank on Ohio River

Nine people were rescued from the 'Tom Frazier' on Feb 10, 2024, just after 7 p.m. in Portsmouth, near the U.S. Grant and Carl Perkins Bridge on the Ohio River. No injuries were reported. The ship had suffered water ingress and was intentionally beached to avoid its complete sinking. Crews with the Scioto County Water Rescue Team, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Coast Guard and additional fire crews from Washington Township, Portsmouth, Rosemount and South Webster assisted on scene and received support from Portsmouth Ambulance and EMT-Ohio. An oil boom was laid out around the semi-submerged ship, and a crane barge attended to refloat it. Reports with photos: https://www.wsaz.com/2024/02/11/nine-people-rescued-off-tugboat/ https://wchstv.com/news/local/scioto-county-swift-water-rescue-teams-respond-to-sinking-towboat-in-ohio-river-emergency-portsmouth-raceway-park-washington-portsmouth-rosemount-south-webster-ambulance-emt-ohio