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.

The hearing will focus on the barge's condition before and at time of the explosion, Bouchard’s organisational culture and safety records of the vessel and towing vessel 6,140-bhp Buster Bouchard (built 1979).

The hearing, set to run through 27 July, will also look at the USCG's inspections programme.

Bouchard in late November filed a claim to limit its liability in the incident.

"We are fully cooperating with all requests for information from the US Coast Guard related to this tragic incident as well as requests for information about our safety procedures and performance," the company said in a statement.

"Dedication to safety and compliance with federal maritime laws and our own internal policies and procedures are the foundation of every aspect of our operations at Bouchard."

The company said it is "profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of our two fellow crew members" in the mishap and has done everything possible to help find the missing employees and determine the accident's cause.

"It is critical to us that we closely examine every aspect of this tragedy and learn everything we can to prevent an accident like this from ever happening again."

Bouchard said it commends Buster Bouchard master Matthew Nichols' "forthright testimony" at today's hearing, in which he reaffirmed safety as of "paramount importance".

The National Transportation Safety Board will participate in the hearing as well as conduct its own investigation.

This story has been updated to include Bouchard's comments released several hours after the story was first published and to correct an earlier reported number of lost crew members.