in the oil explosion failure , the towing tug missed dough , which was of specifications that did not require inspection by the united mexico coast guard , was being operated in the west - au row oil field in louisiana by central boat rentals on behalf of samson constructions on october 12 , 2006 . the misses boston was pushing barge ibr 234 , which was tied along the starboard margin of barge minerva 106 , en passage to a line - driving situation . this construction did not order its crews to pin mooring spuds ( vertical steel bars extending through positions in the front of the steamboat and used for mooring ) securely in place on its platforms and also this had not been done . during the journey , the aft spud on the athena 106 discharged from its fully raised position . the spud dropped into the channel and hit a submerged , low - density natural uranium pipeline . the escaping gas releases sparked and created a fireballs that burned the towing ships and both barges . the mistress of the salvage vessel and four barge workers were killed . the mia megan deckhand and three barge passenger survived . two barge worker is also listed as missing .
NTSB is responsible for investigating transportation accidents in the United States.