The National Transportation Safety Board has faulted a container-crane operator for the June 2024 collapse of the emission-capture arm aboard the STAX 1 emissions-control barge at the Port of Los Angeles, finding the shoreside operator moved a ship-to-shore crane without verifying that its lowered boom would clear nearby obstructions.

The 160-foot STAX 1 was capturing exhaust from the 623-foot containership Erving at the Fenix Marine Services Container Terminal when ship-to-shore crane 16 had its boom left in the lowered position, striking and collapsing the barge’s articulated capture arm and dropping sections onto the barge, the Erving, and into the water. About 10 gallons of hydraulic oil spilled, one crew member suffered minor injuries, and damage was estimated at $3.2 million.

Investigators found that flex-shift waterfront personnel were unaware of the STAX 1’s location because the pre-shift planning meeting had not yet been held, and cited the terminal’s inadequate guidance for gantrying cranes. The board urged operators to maintain line of sight on obstructions, use a dock signal person, and include barge positions in safety briefings.

Select the link to learn more.