Baltimore bridge hit by container ship, major collapse
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Gondwanaland
Verified User
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A view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it collapsed, in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., in this picture released on March 26, 2024.
Baltimore Bridge Hit By Ship – Major Collapse
BloombergTotal Views: 67
March 26, 2024[FONT=&]The most severe US bridge collision since the Tampa Skyway Bridge disaster in 1980 happened in the early hours of the morning while the ship was under pilotage. Here are the details we have so far.[/FONT]
By Katrina Nicholas (Bloomberg)
A major commuter bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being rammed by a container ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water and threatening chaos at one of the most important ports on the US East Coast.
The Maryland Transportation Authority issued an telling drivers not to use Interstate 695. Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore City Fire Department described it as “a mass casualty, multi-agency incident” in an audio interview with CNN, adding as many as 20 people could be in the water.
The disaster at the Francis Scott Key Bridge happened early Tuesday. It’s likely to cause huge disruption — both for shipping at one of the busiest ports on the US East Coast and on the roads — now that a key link has been severed on the major highway encircling Baltimore.
https://gcaptain.com/baltimore-bridge-hit-by-ship-major-collapse/
It's also the only bridge in the region crossing the river. The other two main ways are via tunnels. So any hazmat trucks now have no easy way through, meaning a lot of long detouring.
Gondwanaland
Verified User
I was in Tampa at the time as well (Lutz, to be precise). Bumpers/fenders are useful for redirecting glancing blows. A full-force dead on collision by something this big, they would have not done much.
Gondwanaland
Verified User
I think the state made a wrong decision in building the span bridge instead of building a simple tunnel like the Hampton tunnel.
Now they can correct the problem and do it the right way, like it should have been done in the first place.
My dad always taught me to do it right the first time, and that way you don't have to go back and do it all over again. Thanks Dad! [Geeko Sportivo]
Hm, they already have two tunnels. Hazmat carrying trucks can't legally go into them. Their only way through Baltimore was this bridge.
Gondwanaland
Verified User
Anchor would not have done anything. The one they dropped would be skipping across the riverbed. Anchors are solely for holding a stationary ship in place, not for stopping a 100+ ton ship going at speed.
T. A. Gardner
Thread Killer
I heard the ship had an engineering casualty and had released an emergency notice on hazard to navigation. The bridge was closed right before the ship hit it and traffic on it was therefore somewhat limited by the closure, which helped minimize the loss of life. Dropping anchor on a moving ship weighing tens of thousands of tons doesn't mean it stops on a dime. Basically, the ship couldn't maneuver with the loss of power and drifted into the bridge. The crew saw it coming, tried to warn people like they should, but were helpless to stop what happened.
They built huge islands around the pillars. My grandmother lived in Lutz. Great memories of Lutz.
T. A. Gardner
Thread Killer
At this point, Biden's losing the minority vote, and many Democrats are not behind him. He needs his base to be solid before he tries to get crossover voting. His own party's support is crumbling at the voter level. Why do you think he (illegally) did another round of college loan forgiveness? White college educated liberals are a major Democrat voting bloc today. He can't afford to lose them or take them for granted give his for shit poll numbers.
BartenderElite
Verified User
LOL
Just admit you were wrong. Biden isn't concerned about Maryland, one single bit.
You know nothing about large cargo ships, do you?
The other explanation is that the ship steered right into the support. Google indicates that dropping while underway is not not done because it wont stop the ship, but rather that it might cause crew injury and/or damage the ship. I doubt you know what you are talking about.
That the US government has ruled this not terrorism before doing ANY investigation is something to notice.
T. A. Gardner
Thread Killer
I know quite a lot about large ships. I was aboard the Enterprise in 1983 when it ran aground in SF bay:
Same thing was the cause. An engineering casualty (I won't bore you with all the details) that led to a loss of propulsion, and without that at low speed (like the freighter that hit that bridge) the rudder is largely ineffective because the screws (propellers) aren't pushing water over it.
T. A. Gardner
Thread Killer
Sometimes things are obvious. This is one of those cases. The ship notified the authorities of their engineering problem and tried to deal with the situation. The current and tide pushed them into the bridge and they couldn't do anything to stop it. The authorities tried to stop traffic from entering onto the bridge but couldn't completely do that prior to the ship hitting it, so cars that were already on the bridge were at risk.
Happened in Tampa Bay.
I know quite a lot about large ships. I was aboard the Enterprise in 1983 when it ran aground in SF bay:
Same thing was the cause. An engineering casualty (I won't bore you with all the details) that led to a loss of propulsion, and without that at low speed (like the freighter that hit that bridge) the rudder is largely ineffective because the screws (propellers) aren't pushing water over it.
Then you know an anchor would not have helped in the Baltimore situation.
T. A. Gardner
Thread Killer
I already said that. Stopping a ship that big, even going just 6 to 10 knots (< 15 mph) is measured in miles. Dropping anchor won't change that much. The anchor will drag. 100 tons of anchor (or less) won't stop a moving 40,000 ton + ship instantly. Try stopping your car with your feet out the door when it's moving 10 mph... Ain't happening.
Happened in Minnesota