A boat or barge may become a runaway if there is loss of control.
Cause for loss of control:
(1) loss of lashing (tying barges together, towing another boat, etc)
(2) loss of mooring cable or anchor
(3) loss of engine power
(4) loss in steering
(5) loss in sailors
The more momentum that the runaway has the more damage it can cause. This is affected by mass and speed.
The danger of a runaway is affected by speed of the runaway which may be affected by:
(1) tide
(2) current
(3) momentum from movement prior to loss of control
Dangers of a runaway:
(1) crashing into a bridge or bridge support
(2) crashing into another boat
(3) crashing into a pier or dock
(4) leakage of fuel oil or contents
(5) block a navigable channel
