During the recent collision between a cargo vessel and Baltimore's Key Bridge, it was revealed that there were no tugs accompanying the vessel at the time of the incident. This information was confirmed by National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy, who stated that the absence of tugs was actually in line with normal protocol.
According to NTSB investigator Marcel Muise, the pilot of the vessel had made a VHF radio call at 01:26:39 on Tuesday, requesting tugs in the vicinity to assist. Tugs typically play a crucial role in helping vessels navigate out of the dock, depart the port, and enter the main ship channel. Once the vessel is on its designated course through the channel, the tugs are no longer required and they depart.
