NTSB Safety Recommendation P-21-018

NTSB safety recommendation P-21-018.

TO PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: In collaboration with Coastal and Marine Operators and the Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety, develop recommended practices and processes for pipeline operators and dredging companies to obtain and use accurate pipeline location data during planning and one-call locating activities for pipelines both in and near project locations.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2021-12-21

Adopted Date: 2021-12-07

Overall Date Closed: 2026-05-27

Synopsis: On Friday, August 21, 2020, about 0802 central daylight time, the US-flagged, non-propelled, 152-foot-long cutter-head suction dredge Waymon Boyd struck a submerged 16-inch liquid propane pipeline during dredging operations adjacent to the EPIC Marine Terminal, located on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Corpus Christi, Texas. A geyser of propane gas and water erupted adjacent to the vessel. Shortly thereafter, gas engulfed the vessel and an explosion occurred. Fire consumed the vessel and surrounding shoreline. A total of 18 personnel employed by Orion Marine Group were working or resting on the dredge and assist boats (tender boats, anchor barges, booster barges, and a supply barge) on the day of the accident. Three crewmembers aboard the Waymon Boyd and one on an adjacent anchor barge died in the explosion and fire. Six crewmembers aboard the dredge were injured. First responders located the injured and transported them to local hospitals. They were eventually transferred to burn units in San Antonio, Texas, where one of the crewmembers later died from his injuries. The Waymon Boyd, valued at $9.48 million, was a total loss. The cost of pipeline damage was $2.09 million. The cost of physical damage to the EPIC facility was $120,000.

Probable Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the hazardous liquid pipeline breach, propane release, and subsequent explosion and fire aboard the dredging vessel Waymon Boyd was Orion Marine Group’s inadequate planning and risk management processes, which failed to identify the proximity of their dredging operation to Enterprise Products’ pipeline TX219 and resulted in the absence of effective controls to prevent the dredge’s cutterhead from striking the pipeline. Contributing to the accident were deficient dredging plans provided by Schneider Engineering and Consulting, which resulted in incomplete and inaccurate information communicated to Enterprise Products by Orion Marine Group during the one-call process, which resulted in insufficient measures to protect the pipeline from excavation damage.

Ntsbnumber: DCA20FM026

Report Number: MAR-21-05

Addressee Name: PHMSA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2026-05-27

Addressee Acronym: PHMSA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2022-03-18

Communication Type: Non-Recipient Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM THE COUNCIL FOR DREDGING AND MARINE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY, NOT THE RECOMMENDATION RECIPIENT: -From Devon A. Carlock, President, Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety: The CDMCS, Pipeline Task Force will act as the host between USACE, CAMO, PHMSA, INGAA, CGA and others. In this forum the CDMCS PTF will organize with government and stakeholders to develop a detailed organizational plan when calling one-call centers. Developing a detailed dialogue between one-call centers and dredging companies will better inform both entities. Using Coastal Marine Operators online training resource will also familiarize one-call operators on how dredging and marine construction companies operate.

Addressee Acronym: PHMSA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2021-12-21

Communication Type: Transmittal Letter

Communication Contents: The attached letter from the NTSB Chair provides information about the NTSB’s December 7, 2021, report Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Strike and Subsequent Explosion and Fire aboard Dredging Vessel Waymon Boyd, EPIC Marine Terminal, Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, Texas, August 21, 2020, NTSB/MAR-21/05. The details of this accident investigation and the resulting safety recommendations may be found in the attached report, which can also be accessed at http://www.ntsb.gov. The NTSB is vitally interested in these recommendations because they are designed to prevent accidents and save lives. We would appreciate a response within 90 days of the date of this letter, detailing the actions you have taken or intend to take to implement these recommendations. When replying, please refer to the safety recommendations by number (for example, P-21-018 through -020). We encourage you to submit your response to ExecutiveSecretariat@ntsb.gov. If your reply exceeds 20 megabytes, including attachments, please e mail us at the same address for instructions on how to send larger documents. Please do not submit both an electronic copy and a hard copy of the same response. This letter provides information about the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) December 7, 2021, report Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Strike and Subsequent Explosion and Fire aboard Dredging Vessel Waymon Boyd, EPIC Marine Terminal, Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, Texas, August 21, 2020, NTSB/MAR-21/05. The details of this accident investigation and the resulting safety recommendations may be found in the attached report, which can also be accessed at http://www.ntsb.gov. As a result of this investigation, we identified the following safety issues: • Inadequate project planning and risk assessment. • Ineffective pipeline damage prevention. • Lack of pipeline hazard training. Accordingly, the NTSB makes the following safety recommendations to PHMSA. Additional information regarding these recommendations can be found in the noted sections of the report. • In collaboration with Coastal and Marine Operators and the Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety, develop recommended practices and processes for pipeline operators and dredging companies to obtain and use accurate pipeline location data during planning and one-call locating activities for pipelines both in and near project locations. (P-21-018) (See section 2.4.1) • In collaboration with Coastal and Marine Operators and the Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety, develop guidance for excavators to clearly identify proposed dredging boundaries for dredging projects before notifying one-call centers by either physically marking the boundaries where practicable, or identifying the boundary with accurate location data. (P-21-019) (See section 2.4.2) • Include criteria for minimum tolerance or safety zones for dredging in state pipeline safety program evaluation guidelines. (P-21-020) (See section 2.4.3) The NTSB is vitally interested in these recommendations because they are designed to prevent accidents and save lives. We would appreciate a response within 90 days of the date of this letter, detailing the actions you have taken or intend to take to implement these recommendations. When replying, please refer to the safety recommendations by number (Safety Recommendations P-21-018 through -020). We encourage you to submit your response to ExecutiveSecretariat@ntsb.gov. If your reply, including attachments, exceeds 20 megabytes, please e mail us at the same address for instructions on how to send larger documents. Please do not submit both an electronic copy and a hard copy of the same response.

Addressee Acronym: PHMSA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2022-04-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We note that you concur with these recommendations and agree that working with the pipeline industry and other stakeholders to develop recommended practices and guidance will advance safe dredging practices near pipeline facilities. We further note that you participated in the CDMCS Pipeline Task Force (PTF) meeting on February 8, 2022, during which our investigators presented our findings and recommendations, and you have committed to work with the CDMCS PTF to bring together all relevant stakeholders, including the CAMO, CDMCS, the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives, other federal and state agencies involved in dredging safety; the Common Ground Alliance; pipeline trade associations; and one-call representatives to develop recommended practices and guidance to address our recommendations. Pending the development of recommended practices and processes for pipeline operators and dredging companies, and of guidance for excavators, as recommended, Safety Recommendations P-21-18 and -19 are classified OPEN-- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.

Addressee Acronym: PHMSA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2022-04-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We note that you concur with these recommendations and agree that working with the pipeline industry and other stakeholders to develop recommended practices and guidance will advance safe dredging practices near pipeline facilities. We further note that you participated in the CDMCS Pipeline Task Force (PTF) meeting on February 8, 2022, during which our investigators presented our findings and recommendations, and you have committed to work with the CDMCS PTF to bring together all relevant stakeholders, including the CAMO, CDMCS, the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives, other federal and state agencies involved in dredging safety; the Common Ground Alliance; pipeline trade associations; and one-call representatives to develop recommended practices and guidance to address our recommendations. Pending the development of recommended practices and processes for pipeline operators and dredging companies, and of guidance for excavators, as recommended, Safety Recommendations P-21-18 and -19 are classified OPEN-- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.

Addressee Acronym: PHMSA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2026-05-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Our investigation found that third-party damage prevention efforts would be improved if dredging companies obtained accurate location data from pipeline operators for pipelines within and near dredging project boundaries. We understand that PHMSA has collaborated with Coastal and Marine Operators, the Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety, and Marine 811 to publish Working Safely Near Underwater Pipelines and Utilities: Recommended Best Practices Guide, Resources, and Checklist in August 2025. We are pleased that the guide highlights the importance of early and direct communication with pipeline operators to ensure the use of accurate pipeline location data during project planning. Additionally, the guide provides an overview of how 811 functions and the type of information pipeline operators need to ensure underwater pipelines and other utilities are properly marked, including specific project times, geographic area, GPS coordinates, equipment type, material placement, access routes, work type, and other relevant information, like vessel names and job site contacts. Finally, the guide also recommends using a survey-quality pipeline profile to ensure marine exclusion zones are accurately identified and marked in the water and on land, where feasible (we understand that exclusion zones can vary depending on the type of work and operator policy, but most operators consider 75 feet as a no-work zone). The newly published guide satisfies the intent of these recommendations. Accordingly, the Board has voted to classify Safety Recommendations P-21-18 and -19 CLOSED-- ACCEPTABLE ACTION.

Addressee Acronym: PHMSA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2022-03-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From Tristan H. Brown, Deputy Administrator: Concur. PHMSA agrees that working with the pipeline industry and other organizations to develop recommended practices and guidance will advance safe dredging practices in close proximity to pipeline facilities. PHMSA has participated in a series of planning meetings with damage prevention and marine dredging stakeholders to discuss the NTSB recommendations, and to begin strategizing on how to address the safety concerns. PHMSA participated in the Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety (CDMCS), Pipeline Task Force (PTF) meeting on February 8, 2022, during which the NTSB representatives described the August 21, 2020, Corpus Christi, Texas accident investigation, findings, and recommendations. PHMSA believes the CDMCS PTF represents the best group for bringing together all relevant stakeholders, which includes the Coastal and Marine Operators (CAMO), CDMCS, the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR), other federal and state agencies who have a role in dredging safety, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), pipeline trade associations, and one-call representatives. PHMSA plans to work with this stakeholder group to develop recommended practices and guidance in response to the NTSB Recommendations P-21-018 and P-21-019.

Addressee Acronym: PHMSA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2022-01-14

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From Tristan H. Brown, Deputy Administrator: Safety recommendation P-21-18 was issued on December 21, 2021. PHMSA is reviewing this recommendation and plans to respond within the 90 days requested by NTSB.

Addressee Acronym: PHMSA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2025-12-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From Paul Roberti, Administrator, PHMSA: In response to the recommendations, CAMO, CDMCS, and Marine Safe 811—in collaboration with PHMSA—published Working Safely Near Underwater Pipelines and Utilities: Recommended Best Practices Guide, Resources, and Checklist (Guide) in August 2025. The Guide serves as a resource for pipeline operators and excavators, including dredging companies, and provides information to enhance pipeline safety, damage prevention, and emergency response in the marine environment. The Guide underscores the importance of early and direct communication with pipeline operators to ensure the use of accurate pipeline location data during project planning in and near project locations. It promotes reliance on pipeline location data and boundary information provided and approved by the operator, noting location data may be provided in the form of Global Positioning Systems (GPS), maps, landmarks, or other reliable means. Further, the Guide emphasizes the importance of consulting relevant 811 one-call centers early in project planning, and provides guidance on how 811 works, including identifying excavation areas and where any water bottom contact may occur, and outlining the types of information 811 will need when contacted. The Guide highlights the importance of obtaining a survey-quality pipeline profile from the operator to support proper project planning and to ensure marine exclusion zones are identified accurately. It also recommends physically marking project limits in the water or onshore—where feasible—with buoys, floating markers, temporary stakes, etc. before contacting 811 one-call centers. When physical marking is not feasible, the Guide advises using GPS coordinates to mark the pipeline location electronically. As of October 2025, approximately 300 hard copies of the Guide have been distributed to marine excavators, including dredging companies. The Guide also is available for download at no cost from PHMSA, CAMO, and CDMCS websites. In addition, PHMSA funded development of an interactive online training course, Working Safely Near Underwater Pipelines and Utilities.6 The course is designed to help marine construction, dredging, coastal restoration, pipeline operator personnel, and others work safely near underwater pipelines and utilities; make required 811 notifications to identify the location of utilities and pipelines before work begins; and conduct pre-project research and planning steps. CAMO and CDMCS actively have promoted this training to the industry. Based on the actions discussed above, PHMSA requests that Safety Recommendations P-21-18 and P-21-19 be classified as “Closed—Acceptable Action.” PHMSA looks forward to working with NTSB as we continue to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the Nation’s pipeline transportation system.