A near-fatal accident at the Port of Hueneme was narrowly avoided last month when a massive snorkel on an emissions control barge collapsed onto a dock and a Japanese vessel, according to an October 5 statement from the Port Operators Group. Video obtained exclusively by Breitbart News shows the dramatic moment the heavy machinery from the STAX Engineering barge crashed onto the deck of the Pleiades Leader, a vehicle carrier operated by NYK Line. No injuries were reported, but workers could have been killed had they been struck.
Regulatory Compliance Under Scrutiny
The barge, designed to filter greenhouse gases and meet California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, spilled a small amount of hydraulic fluid during the incident. Port officials deemed no spill response necessary, though environmental assessments continue. Under CARB’s strict emissions rules, non-compliant vessels face fines up to $50,000 per day, generating tens of millions in state revenue since 2025.
Broader Economic Impacts
Critics argue CARB’s regulations, which could cost $2.23 billion by 2032, are driving up costs nationwide. Shipping companies pass penalties and retrofitting expenses onto consumers, inflating prices on everyday goods. A June Deep Background report branded CARB as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ‘parallel energy policy,’ impacting supply chains beyond California’s borders. The accident underscores ongoing tensions between environmental mandates and operational safety.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2026/11/10/watch-near-fatal-accident-caused-by-emissions-barge-in-california-port/