The NTSB has determined that a December 10, 2023 towboat contact near Norco, Louisiana occurred when the tow guided by the towboat William E. Strait was pushed astern during a tow reconfiguration and struck two moored barges at the Shell Norco Refinery dock, causing an estimated $501,000 in damage. Investigators found no injuries and no pollution, but concluded the incident was driven by a breakdown in situational awareness under poor visibility conditions. According to the report, the William E. Strait mate did not recognize how close the tow was to unlit barges behind the vessel as an assisting fleeting tug (Steel Skipper) pushed the tow astern. Dense fog and rain further obscured visibility, and the moored barges reportedly lacked deck or running lights, relying instead on dock spotlighting. With the barges difficult to detect and a dense fog advisory in effect, the mate did not perceive the risk in time and did not use the towboat’s engines to attempt an avoidance maneuver, leading to the contact and resulting damage.