Seadaniel estimated the nagle to be 30º to 45º and slightly less than 45º, respectively. At the time of the impact, the Testbank was estimated to be on a heading of 115º at about 3 to 4 mph over the ground and the Seadaniel was estimated to be making about 6 to 8 mph over the ground on a course about 268º to 270º.
The two vessels momentarily broke contact after the initial impact as the Testbank heeled to starboard. The pilot of the Testbank described the heel as "heavy" and felt the heel was due to the vessel coming in contact with the diagonal banks of the channel. The impact brought the Testbank to bare headway in the water and turned the bow of the Seadaniel to the right, almost parallel with the channel according to the pilot of the Testbank. Secondary contact occurred near the No. 2 port hatch when the Testbank righted, almost immediately after the first impact, and the Seadaniel proceeded down the port side of the Testbank ripping containers stowed above deck on the outboard port side of the Testbank. The crew of the Seadaniel observed sparks as the Seadaniel raked down the port side of the Testbank. A heavy white haze and an odor of "rotten onions" emanated from the damaged containers strewn about the Testbank's main deck after the impact. The vapor was sufficiently dense to prevent sighting the bow from the bridge of the Testbank.
After the two vessels had cleared, the Testbank's engine was brought to stop and then slow ahead by the pilot to prevent the stern from striking the nearby beach. The Testbank was maneuvered to the left descending bank and using the starboard anchor was anchored near mile 40.5 at about 2050. The pilot contacted the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) on VHF radio channel 16 and advised the USCG of collision.
The Seadaniel crossed the channel behind the stern of the Testbank and grounded softly on the right descending bank. The pilot ordered the vessel anchored, and a damage survey was conducted. The Seadaniel came to rest on the river bank with mile marker 41 about 100m (328 feet) off the vessel's port side. The pilot of the Seadaniel estimated the collision site to be about three-fourths to three-fifths of a mile below Shell Beach with his vessel's bown across the channel centerline. The master and third mate testified that the Seadaniel did not cross over the channel centerline.
The pilot of the Seadaniel observed two containers in the water, one of which sank in the area of the collision. The pilot utilized his vessel's searchlight and saw the second container drifting toward the right descending bank close to the Seadaniel's stern. The container grounded and came to rest on the right descending bank.
Injuries to Persons
There were no injuries.
Damage to Vessels
The port bow and rail of the Seadaniel were slightly damaged and the bow was contaminated with hazardous cargo from the Testbank. The Testbank was holed in the port side shell plating above the waterline near the bow and received extensive damage to her port side cargo containers; the main deck cargo area was contaminated with hazardous cargo. (See appendix A.)
