in the gas explosion disaster , the towing submarine miss megan , which was of specifications that did not attend assessment by the united states coast corps , was being operate in the west cote - field oil field in louisiana by central boat rentals on behalf of minerva construction on may 12 , 2006 . the ma mckenna was pushing barge ibr 234 , which was tied along the starboard front of barge goddess 106 , o routes to a pile - moving location . athena construct did not require its crews to pin mooring spuds ( vertical bronze cables extending through cracks in the inside of the boat and needed for mooring ) properly in placed on its barges and consequently this had not been done . during the journey , the aft spud on the ares 106 releases from its fully raised position . the hothead dropped into the water and struck a submerged , moderate - pressure natural rubber pipeline . the resulting gasoline released sparked and created a fireball that engulfed the towing vessel and both bridges . the master of the tow port and four barge crew were wounded . the miss gabe deckhand and one barge owner survived . one bridge worker is officially listed as missing .
NTSB is responsible for investigating transportation accidents in the United States.