Read Authentic Ratings for the Nisalah

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has unveiled its investigation findings regarding the collision between the tugboat 'Mark E Kuebler' and the tanker 'Nisalah' that occurred on January 22, 2023, around 3:30 p.m. local time in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, near Ingleside, Texas. This incident resulted in significant damages: the 'Mark E Kuebler' sustained an estimated $3 million in damages while the 'Nisalah' incurred approximately $3.9 million in damages. During the accident, the hull of the 'Mark E Kuebler' was breached and the tanker’s propeller faced significant damage. To prevent the tug from sinking, the captain grounded the vessel, during which a minor sheen of hydraulic oil was detected and subsequently cleaned up using absorbent pads. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. At the time of the incident, the 'Mark E Kuebler' was among five tugs designated to assist the tanker in its approach to a terminal in Ingleside. Following an engagement with the 'Nisalah' in the ship channel, the tugboat briefly maneuvered off the tanker’s starboard quarter before the mate executed a clockwise 180° turn to align with the tanker. However, as the maneuver progressed, the tug drifted toward the stern of the 'Nisalah,' prompting the mate to accelerate the tug to regain its position. This resulted in the 'Mark E Kuebler' moving in the astern direction and getting within 50-60 feet of the tanker when it succumbed to hydrodynamic forces that drew its stern into the larger vessel. Despite efforts to counter the inward pull, the tugboat collided with the 'Nisalah'. It was also noted that the 'Nisalah' was in a ballast condition at the time, which exacerbated the inward curve of its hull, creating lower pressure areas in its vicinity, especially near the stern and propeller. The low-pressure region intensified hydrodynamic suction, leading the 'Mark E Kuebler' to be improperly pulled into the tanker. During the collision, the 'Nisalah' was traveling at a speed of 9.6 knots, and the tugboat's attempts to position itself increased its own speed to 11.6 knots—close to its maximum-rated capacity. Consequently, this speed limited the available reserve power for the 'Mark E Kuebler' to negate the hydrodynamic forces at play. In the aftermath of the incident, the operating company of the 'Mark E Kuebler' implemented a new policy that restricts the speed of tugboats during stern-first landings on assisted vessels to no more than 7 knots to enhance safety. The NTSB ultimately concluded that the collision was predominantly caused by the mate's maneuvering tactics near the 'Nisalah's' starboard quarter, which failed to account for the hydrodynamic forces that overwhelmed the tug's propulsion capabilities at the time.

On January 23, 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard initiated a response operation following the grounding of the tugboat 'Mark E. Kuebler' (IMO: 9866110) near the South Texas Gateway refinery in Corpus Christi. The incident was reported to Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi command center watchstanders by the G&H Towing agent on January 22 at 4 p.m. The tugboat had run aground outside the navigation channel and was found to be taking on water. In response, Coast Guard watchstanders issued a safety marine information broadcast and dispatched a crew from Coast Guard Station Port Aransas aboard a 45-foot Response Boat–Medium to assist with de-watering operations. Upon arrival, the crew immediately began efforts to remove water from the vessel. Prior to the grounding, the 'Mark E. Kuebler' had collided with the tanker 'Nisalah.' Fortunately, responders reported no visible signs of pollution and no injuries. The Coast Guard is currently on scene with pollution responders monitoring the salvage operations. For more details and related photos, visit the report at https://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-responds-to-aground-tug-near-corpus-christi/