In the early morning, before sunrise, two towing vessels were approaching an almost 90° bend on a river in opposite directions. Neither vessel was broadcasting the correct total length of their vessel and tow to other AIS users. The first vessel’s AIS broadcast showed 22 meters, yet the overall length of the vessel and its two-barge tow was 205 meters.
The second vessel’s AIS broadcast showed 61 meters, but the overall length of the vessel and its 40-barge tow was 488 meters. As the vessels rounded the bend and completed their turns, they collided, causing the down-bound towing vessel to capsize and sink with several fatalities.
The accurate display of a vessel’s full length becomes particularly important in situations that prevent vessels from seeing each other until they are in very close proximity.
