in the pipeline explosion disaster , the salvage vessel mrs piper , it was of specifications that did not undergo inspection by the central states coast guard , was being operated in the west vie blanche bay oil field in louisiana by central boats bookings on terms of advanced construct on october 12 , 2006 . the miss cord was pushing canoe ibr 234 , which was tied towards the starboard side of barge athena 106 , en route to a pile - driving point . athena construct did not permit its crews to pin buoys spuds ( horizontally steel pillars extending through channels in the bottom of the boat and available for moored ) securely in spot on its barges and consequently this had not been observed . during the transit , the downward chick on the athena 106 released from its fully raised positions . the hiaasen sank into the lake and struck a underwater , high - vacuum shale gas pipeline . the compressed spark released ignited and created a fireball that enclosed the towing vessel and both barges . the driver of the rescue vessel and nine steamboat workers were killed . the miss baker deckhand and another bridge employee died . one barge worker is officially registered as missing .
NTSB is responsible for investigating transportation accidents in the United States.