Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Jalma-Topic

A recent report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has shed light on the unfortunate allision involving the bulk carrier 'Jalma Topic' near New Orleans, which occurred on July 12, 2021. The incident resulted from an electrical malfunction that led to a complete loss of steering control, causing the vessel to collide with a stationary barge that was serving as office space. The estimated damages from the accident are around $6 million. During its traversal upriver on the Lower Mississippi River, the Jalma Topic experienced a defective rudder that became stuck at a 10-degree port angle. The report indicates that the pilot acted swiftly upon recognizing the steering issue, ensuring those onboard the office barge were alerted while trying to minimize the vessel's speed. The collision inflicted significant damage, compromising the barge's superstructure and hull, along with severing essential electrical, plumbing, and communication lines to the shore. Furthermore, the vessel's HVAC systems sustained damage, and the mooring equipment, gangways, and catwalks leading to the barges were either impaired or devastated. Technical investigations revealed that the failure of a solid-state relay within the steering control system's servo control board was the root cause of the steering loss. Notably, YDK Technologies, the manufacturer of the steering control system, had previously issued a caution sticker and important notice to users of PT500 autopilot systems back in December 2014, which addressed similar failures. However, the operator of the Jalma Topic reported not receiving this crucial notification from YDK Technologies until after the incident had occurred. The NTSB concluded that the primary cause of the allision was the steering loss due to the solid-state relay failure, compounded by the absence of standardized procedures for the bridge team to follow in the event of a steering system malfunction. For more detailed insights, access the full report [here](https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MIR2223.pdf).

On July 12, 2021, the tugboat 'Jalma Topic' encountered mechanical issues, resulting in an allision with an office barge on the Mississippi River at mile marker 93.5, just below Algiers Point and approximately 1.7 nautical miles from the New Orleans Anchorage. The prompt response of the tug 'Mardi Gras' was instrumental in managing the situation, as it held the 'Jalma Topic' against the riverbank until the vessel could be safely secured. Following the allision, the 'Jalma Topic' was relocated slightly downstream to General Anchorage for a thorough investigation. A marine inspector from Sector New Orleans and an investigating officer examined the vessel, discovering a puncture in its bulbous bow. The incident also resulted in damage to the lower section of the office barge involved.