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Managed by Paul J. Loftus, a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Transportation Law Today provides professionals in the rail, transit, inland maritime, and trucking industries with current news and analysis of laws, rulings, and regulatory policies.



Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tug Boat Pilot to Plead Guilty in Duck Boat Accident

A tugboat pilot, who was talking to his wife on a cellphone when his barge collided with a disabled tourist "duck boat" on the Delaware River in downtown Philadelphia in 2010, has agreed to plead guilty to one charge of misconduct of ship operator causing death. An article by Peter Loftus (no relation)of the WSJ is attached here about the expected plea.

Two tourists, aged 20 and 16, from Hungary died in the accident, and the remaining passengers were rescued.

The NTSB has yet to issue its final report, but this press release indicates its probable cause findings about the accident, particularly the pilot's failure to keep a proper lookout and his distraction from a cell phone and laptop.

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