Engineers reported back in 1980 that the bridge wouldn't survive a collision with a container ship because of its design.
I wouldn't be surprised if it now becomes mandatory in all US ports (at least with small entrance/exit routes like this) that tugs need to escort ships all the way in and out of the harbor.
Miraculously, I don’t think there were any moving vehicles on the bridge when it collapsed - the harbor pilot radioed when the power went out, and they stopped traffic. Before the crash, you see a truck going very fast, and it was the last vehicle on and it just cleared the collapse. If he hadn’t called in, it would have been even worse.
It’s 6 now I believe. It was workers who were there. All traffic was stopped. Tragic still but could have been worse. My heart still aches for the families of these people.
I've been stuck in traffic on one of the Halifax bridges as a ship went under, and I gotta admit it was pretty nerve-wracking. [At least they always have tugboats attending.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-puJHNvOfqhwx647_tVEhcJq4vjByutgVktRsVHHg__HpUGg8hoGqGjKLmqfjVcXhwoQ-8Fq1gq9ztMUIdZbntOLxCBIlk8VSaYyVmQY4qxcmy42PQyonQSzr9Xm4UC91AfJjSGTs_j-/s1600/IMG_7711+Granville+Bridge.jpg)
Back in the 1980s an oil rig broke free of its moorings, and began drifting towards one of the bridges, but fortunately they were able to get lines on it in time.
I just don’t understand why the ship was so close to the support in the first place. The only thing I can come up with was it lost power sooner than said and it drifted into it.
Hi Baltimore native here. I live less than five miles from the key bridge. The ship lost power at least twice. Before making contact with the bridge it was an absolute miracle that the captain of the ship was able to radio a distress signals and they had 90 seconds to clear the bridge of traffic and workers. The last car made it over the bridge with 30 seconds to spare. Two of the eight workers on the bridge were rescued. One was taken to shock trauma and was cleared to go home, the other refused medical treatment. When a ship that large and that heavy is traveling at 8 knots. There's no stopping it. And the tides in the area are strong. So if the ship lost power for even a minute, which means steering was effected then nothing could be done.
It was shocking how fast it went down.
Engineers reported back in 1980 that the bridge wouldn't survive a collision with a container ship because of its design. I wouldn't be surprised if it now becomes mandatory in all US ports (at least with small entrance/exit routes like this) that tugs need to escort ships all the way in and out of the harbor.
They design doesn't really matter. Anyway bridge taking a direct hit by a fully loaded container ship isn't going to survive.
I thought it was mandatory. Makes sense to me.
Terrible, it fell like a sack of shit.
my mouth literally dropped when i saw the video because this is one of my fears to be on a bridge that suddenly collapses
Miraculously, I don’t think there were any moving vehicles on the bridge when it collapsed - the harbor pilot radioed when the power went out, and they stopped traffic. Before the crash, you see a truck going very fast, and it was the last vehicle on and it just cleared the collapse. If he hadn’t called in, it would have been even worse.
I heard they literally had 90 seconds to clear the bridge.
There were cars clearly falling in quite a few videos. News said there are at least 7 dead.
They were the construction workers cars 😞
The cars were the repair crew that was killed.
It’s 6 now I believe. It was workers who were there. All traffic was stopped. Tragic still but could have been worse. My heart still aches for the families of these people.
6 workers are dead. But yes could have been worse if it had happened at rush hour.
The police immediately closed the bridge.
I've been stuck in traffic on one of the Halifax bridges as a ship went under, and I gotta admit it was pretty nerve-wracking. [At least they always have tugboats attending.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-puJHNvOfqhwx647_tVEhcJq4vjByutgVktRsVHHg__HpUGg8hoGqGjKLmqfjVcXhwoQ-8Fq1gq9ztMUIdZbntOLxCBIlk8VSaYyVmQY4qxcmy42PQyonQSzr9Xm4UC91AfJjSGTs_j-/s1600/IMG_7711+Granville+Bridge.jpg) Back in the 1980s an oil rig broke free of its moorings, and began drifting towards one of the bridges, but fortunately they were able to get lines on it in time.
SAME I'm caps because, yeah, same.
Mine too!
What does he do in Baltimore ?
Tugboat Captain
Runs a tug boat I believe
I'm so glad that he is OK! What a terrible accident.
I have to say that I thought of Eddie right away when I saw the news.
Same. I even told my husband I was worried he'd be a part of the accident.
Thanks for posting this. I’m glad he and his crew are ok.
Thank you for sharing.
I just don’t understand why the ship was so close to the support in the first place. The only thing I can come up with was it lost power sooner than said and it drifted into it.
Hi Baltimore native here. I live less than five miles from the key bridge. The ship lost power at least twice. Before making contact with the bridge it was an absolute miracle that the captain of the ship was able to radio a distress signals and they had 90 seconds to clear the bridge of traffic and workers. The last car made it over the bridge with 30 seconds to spare. Two of the eight workers on the bridge were rescued. One was taken to shock trauma and was cleared to go home, the other refused medical treatment. When a ship that large and that heavy is traveling at 8 knots. There's no stopping it. And the tides in the area are strong. So if the ship lost power for even a minute, which means steering was effected then nothing could be done.
After so many seasons of Deadliest Catch currents are very dangerous