Unattended helm leads to 2023 grounding of towing vessel on Mississippi River

​The pilot was alone on watch in the wheelhouse when the grounding occurred. The pilot told investigators that he had left the helm and went to the port side of the wheelhouse. He estimated he was away for about five minutes.

​“Leaving the helm unattended is contrary to prudent navigation practices when operating on rivers,” the report said. “The Mississippi River, in particular, has frequent turns, and the potential for strong currents and heavy traffic.

"Due to these factors, inattention to a vessel’s path, even for a brief time, can result in encountering other vessels and hazards such as shallow areas or structures on the banks nearby."