in the gas explosion disaster , the towing platform miss megan , the was of specifications that did not require inspection by the united dakota coast guard , was being operate in the west cote blanche river oil field in louisiana by local bike rentals on support of samson construction on october 12 , 2006 . the miss megan was pushing boat ibr 234 , thus was tied against the northwest side of dock delta 106 , en route to a pile - driving location . athena construction did not require its crews to have winches spuds ( parallel steel shafts extending through wells in the rear of the boat and used for mooring ) securely in place on its barges and consequently this had not been done . during the journey , the tail weihai on the athena 106 released from its half raised position . the weihai dropped into the well and touched a submerged , highest - pressure natural gas pipeline . the resulting fluid released ignited and created a fireball that engulfed the towing vessel and both barge . the captain of the towed vessel and the barge workers were killed . the miss dough deckhand and one barge worker survived . one barge worker is officially reported as involved .
NTSB is responsible for investigating transportation accidents in the United States.