Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore... (1 Viewer)

[Sailorsaint]

There wasn't any tug boats accompanying the ship, apparently they are "optional" on this route/port.

As someone who works in ocean cargo, this is going to screw up a lot of things for a lot of companies and people. Port is going to be closed for awhile. Philly/Norfolk/New York prepare for congestion.

The pilot may as well start job hunting right now.

 

[efil4stnias]

The pilot may as well start job hunting right now.

in a completely different industry.

from the longer video it appears that he may have gotten it under control just moments before impact as it looks like the ship was turning, trying to get back into the channel. Unfortunately there just wasnt enough distance and a 900 foot+ ship simply isnt going to maneuver on a dime.

no power, no steering - that ship was at the mercy of momentum, frozen rudder and current.


As for the bridge, does it look like the bridge spans were connected to the support columns by a 'fulcrum" type structure?

 

[Merl]

The pilot may as well start job hunting right now.

If it is shown that the cause was a failure of the ships systems that are not the responsibility of the pilots (there were 2 on board) then they will keep their jobs. They are likely on administrative leave though until the cause is determined.

 

[Sailorsaint]

If it is shown that the cause was a failure of the ships systems that are not the responsibility of the pilots (there were 2 on board) then they will keep their jobs. They are likely on administrative leave though until the cause is determined.

Whose call is it whether you use tugs or not? Assuming it’s optional.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

Watching the video, it's reminiscent of the BRIGHT FIELD allision with the Riverwalk in New Orleans in 1996 - ship lost power and steering just under the Crescent City Connection and went straight into the mall and Hilton Hotel instead of making the turn around Algiers Point. Once you've lost steering, the river takes you where it wants you to go. Scary sheet.

 

[Maxp]

The captain makes the call. In general, shipping companies don't want to pay the expense of escorting tugs. Plenty of captains have been fired for doing just that, including the captain of the El Faro.

 

[Merl]

Head of the Baltimore FBI office says there is no sign of anything pointing to terrorist activity.
Per MD Gov no information is available on cause.
Transportation Sec said there are 2 rescued survivors and 6 missing. All were part on a construction crew repairing pot holes. Does not believe any is trapped in cars.
Crew notified the port the ship had lost power. After the mayday traffic was stopped from getting on the bridge.
Gov. said ship was traveling at 8 knots. (9.2 MPH)
No timeline to reopen the port.

 

[Madmarsha]

Watching the video, it's reminiscent of the BRIGHT FIELD allision with the Riverwalk in New Orleans in 1996 - ship lost power and steering just under the Crescent City Connection and went straight into the mall and Hilton Hotel instead of making the turn around Algiers Point. Once you've lost steering, the river takes you where it wants you to go. Scary sheet.

I was just thinking about that collision.

 

[Madmarsha]

I've been on that bridge maybe a few times. Is it a toll bridge? They seem unable to tell what cars were still on the bridge.

 

[efil4stnias]

I've been on that bridge maybe a few times. Is it a toll bridge? They seem unable to tell what cars were still on the bridge.

according to the post above, after the ships mayday, they were able to halt traffic and that the only persons on bridge was road crew fixing roadway.

I think the fact that it was close to 4am kept this from being a major catastrophe in terms of lives. It could have been so much worse.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

I was just thinking about that collision.

I was a baby lawyer and was involved in that case. I remember standing on the deck of the ship that night looking into what used to be the parking garage of One River Place condos - a line of flattened Mercedes, BMWs and Range Rovers.

Very fortunate in that case that is happened at 1pm in the afternoon when it took out several hotel rooms - 12 hours later and people would've been in bed. One lady broke her leg but otherwise no serious injuries, although we were taking depositions for years of people who said they were 'trampled.' It was like an RTA bus accident case (50 passengers but 500 claims) on steroids.

 

[Merl]

according to the post above, after the ships mayday, they were able to halt traffic and that the only persons on bridge was road crew fixing roadway.

I think the fact that it was close to 4am kept this from being a major catastrophe in terms of lives. It could have been so much worse.

I believe it was at 1:40am EST. But your right that had it been during the day possibly 100's would have been killed. From every video I have seen I can't find a shot that shows a car or truck on the bridge at the moment it collapsed.

 

[efil4stnias]

I believe it was at 1:40am EST. But your right that had it been during the day possibly 100's would have been killed. From every video I have seen I can't find a shot that shows a car or truck on the bri9dge at the moment it collapsed.

oh even better- there was a big rig that passed 40 sec or so in the sped up longer video- but that was it - once he passed thru the shot, not a single vehicle after.

 

[Madmarsha]

according to the post above, after the ships mayday, they were able to halt traffic and that the only persons on bridge was road crew fixing roadway.

I think the fact that it was close to 4am kept this from being a major catastrophe in terms of lives. It could have been so much worse.

I know what they're saying, but it also looked like you could still see a few vehicles passing on the bridge before the ship contacts the support pier with maybe only mere moments to get to safety before there's literally no bridge there anymore.

 

[bonnjer]

5 vehicles submerged in water have been found, says Baltimore fire chief​

Baltimore authorities have found five vehicles — three passenger vehicles, a cement truck and a fifth vehicle, which has not been identified as a passenger or work vehicle yet — submerged in water using infrared and side-scan sonar technology.
Up to eight dive teams were sent into the water for search and rescue operations.
At an earlier press conference, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld did not believe there were any people in the cars.