The US Coast Guard (USCG) began a hearing today to investigate the circumstances leading to an explosion, fire and consequent loss of life on an articulated tug barge off Port Aransas last year.

The incident occurred aboard the Bouchard Transportation-owned 9,800-gt B No 255 (built 1999) on 20 October 2017.

The explosion took place on the black oil barge while it was operating off the coast of Texas, resulting in the loss of two crew members.