Reviews & Ratings for the Gas-Ares

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported on November 10, 2022, that a pilot's instruction to reduce the speed of the 'Gas Ares' during adverse crosswind conditions resulted in a collision with a moored tug by the Motiva Port Neches Terminal, Texas. This incident occurred on November 25, 2021, while the vessel was navigating upstream along the Neches River. The 'Gas Ares' struck a harbour tug that was securely tied alongside another tug at a loading dock. Fortunately, all 32 crew members aboard both the 'Gas Ares' and the moored tugs were unharmed; however, the incident led to significant damage estimated at $1.1 million to the tugs and dock facilities involved. A state-licensed pilot from the Sabine Pilots was at the helm during this transit, which was planned to include an escort tug due to the challenging winds in the Sabine Neches Canal and Neches River. In an effort to reduce wake and ensure the safety of a passing tow, the pilot ordered the 'Gas Ares' to proceed at a dead slow ahead speed. This reduced speed, combined with strong winds hitting the starboard side of the tanker, compromised the effectiveness of the rudder. As a result, the vessel was gradually pushed further left within the 400-foot-wide navigation channel, approaching the moored tugs. Without sufficient forward momentum, the pilot struggled to maneuver the vessel back to the channel's centerline, ultimately leading to the allision with the outboard tug. The NTSB concluded that the pilot's decision to decrease the vessel's speed to mitigate wake, amidst strong crosswinds, was the primary factor contributing to this collision.