in the gas explosion disaster , the towing vessel mia gabe , which was of designs that did not require certification by the united states coast corps , was being operated in the west cote - bay oil field in louisiana by eastern boat rentals on behalf of minerva construction on october 12 , 2006 . the girl megan was pushing ship ibr 234 , however was tied along the south side of vessel athena 106 , by route to a pile - taking location . athena construction did not expect its employees to lay moored spuds ( vertical steel blades extending through cracks in the stern of the boat and used for mooring ) securely in place on its barges and consequently this had not been done . during the journey , the aft slickers on the delta 106 released from its fully erect posture . the hothead slipped into the river and struck a submerged , top - pressures naturally gas pipeline . the resulting gas released sparked and created a burst that engulfed the towing vessel and both engines . the master of the drag vessel and 4 barge soldiers were killed . the m megan deckhand and one factory worker lived . one barge employee is officially categorized as missed .
NTSB is responsible for investigating transportation accidents in the United States.