Baltimore's colossal Key Bridge collapses in moments after container ship crashes into it flinging 'multiple' cars into the river
quote:
From the video, the ship was having power issues and should have had tugs on site long before entering the harbor.
Yep, the ship was clearly having some kind of power issue as it lost illumination several times before striking the bridge. Totally possible that it caused an issue with steerage.
I wonder if they sounded the horn or did anything to attempt to warn the people on the bridge prior to impact. The crew had to know it was coming. People in cars probably wouldn't have noticed, but the construction crews might have. Not sure if they would have even had time to get off anyway, though. That whole bridge went down all at once, not just the adjacent spans...crazy. Those poor people.
March 26, 2024, 07:59 AM
nhracecraft
quote:
Originally posted by Mars_Attacks: From the video, he dead centered the pylon and there is a red marker over the center of the span where he was suppose to go under. From the video, the ship was having power issues and should have had tugs on site long before entering the harbor.
Both of those pilots should be held responsible for any deaths.
That ship was departing the harbor. According to the 'Map Tracker' on the Daily Mail page it pushed off the dock and two tugs had already got it pointed in the right direction well prior the incident. There are also two markers indicating that dead center is NOT where you'd navigate under that bridge, as you'd need to transit right of center (south?) in order to avoid Fort Carroll, which is located on the other side of the bridge.
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March 26, 2024, 08:04 AM
Anubismp
That video is terrifying, unless there was a horn and everyone was paying attention, or the maintenance crew randomly was watching every vessel passing underneath, there'd be no way to do anything other than hope you stayed conscious when you hit the water and didn't get chased by debris. Terrible.
March 26, 2024, 08:05 AM
PASig
This is bad, that whole area is a major East Coast artery (695?) and there may now be military vessels trapped in the harbor.
March 26, 2024, 08:44 AM
ridewv
Almost appears it tried to hit it. Probably just the angle.
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March 26, 2024, 08:48 AM
VMI 1991
This why the USN spends so much time training on loss of propulsion and loss of steering. I was on the bridge of various ships transiting in and out of port many times. This is an absolute nightmare scenario - zero dark early, restricted maneuverability and casualties with propulsion and steering.
Speed is fine, but accuracy is final
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March 26, 2024, 08:52 AM
18Z50
Looks expensive.
March 26, 2024, 09:00 AM
MikeinNC
All right sailors, why dit it turn to the starboard after losing power?
Single screw vessel, the screw was still turning and that’s what made it turn starboard.
The USN and USCG conduct loss of steering drills every time they sail, to try and combat and prepare for things like this. Same with fires and GQ.
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March 26, 2024, 09:00 AM
bald1
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March 26, 2024, 09:34 AM
chellim1
So at this point, it appears to be a loss of power rather than sabotage or terrorism?
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March 26, 2024, 09:38 AM
VMI 1991
quote:
Originally posted by chellim1: So at this point, it appears to be a loss of power rather than sabotage or terrorism?
There will be a lot to ascertain from the investigation. After a lot of time at sea, I can very easily see this as nothing more than a terrible accident.
Speed is fine, but accuracy is final
The use of the pen is an indulgence we can afford only because better men and women grip the sword on our behalf -Ralph Peters
March 26, 2024, 09:39 AM
VMI 1991
quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC: All right sailors, why dit it turn to the starboard after losing power?
Single screw vessel, the screw was still turning and that’s what made it turn starboard.
The USN and USCG conduct loss of steering drills every time they sail, to try and combat and prepare for things like this. Same with fires and GQ.
Yep. For us (USN), it was part of the pre-underway checklist. Start steering units, then stop the online unit to ensure the offline immediately started.
Speed is fine, but accuracy is final
The use of the pen is an indulgence we can afford only because better men and women grip the sword on our behalf -Ralph Peters
March 26, 2024, 09:39 AM
old rugged cross
Massive disaster. That is horrible. Prayers for those affected by this.
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March 26, 2024, 09:49 AM
ZSMICHAEL
Not to worry, Mayor Pete is riding his bike to the scene. Having some experience with bridge accidents, the federal government has plenty of experience with this sort of thing. If they can award a contract quickly, things will happen fast.
March 26, 2024, 09:51 AM
parabellum
Keep the political remarks out of it, please.
March 26, 2024, 09:58 AM
ZSMICHAEL
ok
March 26, 2024, 10:02 AM
PASig
I wonder if being that Baltimore is one of the biggest ports in the entire world and that bridge is a main East Coast artery they will expedite this like the PA governor did with I-95 last year. That was going to be closed for a year or two but they has it filled in and drivable within something like 12 days.
Of course this is way larger that a concrete overpass but it's a crucial area and they cannot leave that cut off for years.
March 26, 2024, 10:05 AM
92fstech
quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC: All right sailors, why dit it turn to the starboard after losing power?
Single screw vessel, the screw was still turning and that’s what made it turn starboard.
The USN and USCG conduct loss of steering drills every time they sail, to try and combat and prepare for things like this. Same with fires and GQ.
Curious, as someone with absolutely zero experience with watercraft beyond a 25hp tiller-steer outboard on my aluminum fishing boat:
Is the proper reaction to immediately shut down the shaft when this happens? And we're assuming from the outcome in this incident that that didn't happen?
Can the shaft be disengaged/reengaged without shutting down the engine (which I assume would take a long time to restart)? If so, how long would that take to accomplish?
March 26, 2024, 10:05 AM
stoic-one
quote:
Originally posted by PASig: I wonder if being that Baltimore is one of the biggest ports in the entire world and that bridge is a main East Coast artery they will expedite this like the PA governor did with I-95 last year. That was going to be closed for a year or two but they has it filled in and drivable within something like 12 days.
Of course this is way larger that a concrete overpass but it's a crucial area and they cannot leave that cut off for years.
Horrible. Pretty long span, temporary floating bridge, perhaps? You still lose port access...
I'd think getting the port open would take priority over restoring the roadway. There are ways to drive around, albeit inconvenient and far from ideal. There's no other way to get in and out of the port.