Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Bunun-Queen

A federal investigation has uncovered that a ship operator's distracted behavior, specifically texting on his cell phone, played a crucial role in the collision between the 'Bunun Queen' and supply vessel 'Thunder' off the Louisiana coast on July 25, 2022. The accident unfolded under favorable conditions, with clear visibility and daylight, further highlighting the avoidability of the incident. According to the findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the 'Thunder' experienced significant flooding and the combined damage to both vessels reached a staggering $12 million. Most of the 'Thunder's 18 crew members were evacuated due to the substantial damage inflicted, and notably, the vessel has yet to resume service since the incident. The NTSB's report determined that the watch officer aboard the 'Thunder' was likely distracted while making a personal phone call that lasted roughly a minute and sending multiple text messages using voice dictation, all of which were unrelated to his duties. In addition to the officer's actions, the investigation pointed out that the watch officers on the 'Bunun Queen' also failed to maintain a proper lookout, as they were preoccupied with other tasks. This unfortunate incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of remaining focused and attentive while on duty at sea.