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

[Eeyore]

I can't get over that they aren't required to use tug boats. Is paying for this disaster cheaper than using a tug?

 

[Bill]

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.

The exact moment of impact (according to the timestamp on the harbor cam video) was 1:29am EDT this morning. The video clearly shows some semi trucks passing directly over the impact position within a minute (or so) of the bridge collapse. If the Mayday call shut down traffic to the bridge approach, it had to be immediately before or after the bridge was struck.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

there are actually two groups if i remember correct

New Orleans to Pilot town ( Miss River delta entrance )

and then NO-BR

3 - the bar pilots take vessels from the Gulf/mouth of the river to Pilottown.

 

[Maxp]

The pilots have the con, but are not responsible for the ship. The captain and officer of the watch can relieve the pilot anytime.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

I can't get over that they aren't required to use tug boats. Is paying for this disaster cheaper than using a tug?

Tugs are usually used for maneuvering in tight quarters or docking/undocking or unusual weather. Once underway in a relatively open waterway with good weather, there's not really a need (until an emergency).

 

[Merl]

A report I heard a little while ago said the MayDay call was received about 4 minutes before it hit the bridge. For that to be relayed to someone on both ends of the bridge to shut down traffic was as quick as it could be and a great job by those in the port and officials on the bridge to get it shutdown.

There is a briefing any moment by the NTSB so we may hear more about this.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

A report I heard a little while ago said the MayDay call was received about 4 minutes before it hit the bridge. For that to be relayed to someone on both ends of the bridge to shut down traffic was as quick as it could be and a great job by those in the port and officials on the bridge to get it shutdown.

There is a briefing any moment by the NTSB so we may hear more about this.

I would be shocked if there was an actual relay from the ship to the local Coast Guard to the road repair team.

I think its much more likely there was no real warning on the bridge except for seeing the damn ship coming at them in the final minute. But we'll see.

 

[Merl]

Briefing summary

Only gathering information from the command post. While CG and locals continue search and rescue.
Have not recovered the data recorders yet.
Singapore (ships home port) is sending investigators to help

Very little information given. Focus is on soley search and rescue.

 

[Merl]

I would be shocked if there was an actual relay from the ship to the local Coast Guard to the road repair team.

I think its much more likely there was no real warning on the bridge except for seeing the damn ship coming at them in the final minute.

There was nothing about a relay from the port to the CG. It was reported that the port notified officials on the ends of the bridge.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

There was nothing about a relay from the port to the CG. It was reported that the port notified officials on the ends of the bridge.

OK, I was assuming the ship called CG based on my past experiences but we'll see once it all shakes out. If they (state of MD, port of Baltimore, whomever) were able to shut down traffic on the bridge in under 5 minutes from the ship losing power that's truly amazing.

 

[Maxp]

OK, I was assuming the ship called CG based on my past experiences but we'll see once it all shakes out. If they (state of MD, port of Baltimore, whomever) were able to shut down traffic on the bridge in under 5 minutes from the ship losing power that's truly amazing.

The pilot would be in communication with vessel traffic control/port control. Mayday would be the first communication to USCG.

 

[SWJJ]

 

[2009ring]

I rewatched the video and with regards to traffic on the bridge - you can see clearly the headlights of vehicles going in both directions. From what I can tell there were no vehicles on the bridge when it got hit. If they truly got a message sent and the bridge closed down in the 4-5 minutes leading up to the strike, then that is excellent work by USCG and MD DOT or whoever was responsible for it. Bridge appeared empty of traffic at time of impact.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

I rewatched the video and with regards to traffic on the bridge - you can see clearly the headlights of vehicles going in both directions. From what I can tell there were no vehicles on the bridge when it got hit. If they truly got a message sent and the bridge closed down in the 4-5 minutes leading up to the strike, then that is excellent work by USCG and MD DOT or whoever was responsible for it. Bridge appeared empty of traffic at time of impact.

Found this transit police radio feed (allegedly - but seems legit). It sounds like they had just gotten traffic stopped at least in one direction and were about to go get the work crew when the bridge went down. Hat's off to them for even getting that much done that quickly- I meant it above - I am shocked.

 

[Merl]

I rewatched the video and with regards to traffic on the bridge - you can see clearly the headlights of vehicles going in both directions. From what I can tell there were no vehicles on the bridge when it got hit. If they truly got a message sent and the bridge closed down in the 4-5 minutes leading up to the strike, then that is excellent work by USCG and MD DOT or whoever was responsible for it. Bridge appeared empty of traffic at time of impact.

I have been thinking about how they might have gotten it shut down in time. My guess would be the port has access to the emergency radio that sent out a broadcast to all emergency services which police or highway officials at the ends of the bridge heard and shut it down.