32 replies to this topic

[CantonJester]

Could Key Bridge crash been avoided if ship had tugboat guides?

 

It certainly would not have hurt. 

[Don Quixote]

This was the news my wife woke me up with this morning; I was a bit incredulous. A terrible event and a big loss in many ways. Hoping for the best for the region; this will be tough for quite some time.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Sounds like of the industries that rely on the port, the auto industry is likely to suffer the most. Never knew Baltimore imported/exported more cars than any port in the country.

 

https://www.npr.org/...timore-disaster

[Dupin]

Sad to see a few people lost their lives.  That bridge was just a few exits down from where my family is from.

[McNulty]

FYI, Captain doesn’t bring a cargo ship in or out, it is port pilot who is an expert in the shipping lanes. Captain is just along for the ride at that point.

This is not correct.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Jayne Miller@jemillerbalt·

 

Coast Guard:

Ship that struck the Key Bridge, causing its collapse, is "stable" in its position.

But still has 1.5 mil gallons fuel oil on board.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Jayne Miller@jemillerbalt·

 

DOT@SecretaryPete:

While Port of Baltimore is closed, some cargo can be handled at the new Tradepoint Atlantic facility at Sparrows Point. That is outside the Key Bridge.

[CantonJester]

This is not correct.

 

Technically you’re correct. The pilot instructs the ship’s captain, or “master” on how to navigate into dock or out to sea. The harbor pilot can order the voyage be halted if there technical difficulties or poor weather. Also, there are federal and state laws that mandate that a pilot board a ship before approaching or leaving the harbor.

 

https://theconversat...llisions-226700

[McNulty]

It’s almost like I knew that for some reason

[McNulty]

Technical difficulties = disabling marine casualties. They have to proceed to nearest safe anchorage at that point, if able. And notify us immediately.

[mweb08]

Maybe blocking off the harbor for a while will jumpstart the effort to make the water swimmable? Any small silver lining...

I mean obviously that isn't gonna happen, they'll dredge up the bride pieces blocking the waterways and restore harbor access as the top priority, maybe start that before they're even done pulling bodies.

Just an FYI, but the water is already swimmable (when there isn't recent rain and of course when it gets warmer).

[BSLMikeLowe]

What makes the harbor/river polluted isn't primarily the shipping activity (though it contributes a little). The main culprit, as mweb hints at, is the runoff from rains and especially if it's heavy rains that can cause the overflow of sewage.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Good news - the Army Corps of Engineers is hoping to have Port access fully open by the end of May, with limited access by the end of April.

 

The Port of Baltimore should reopen with limited access by the end of April and completely reopen to shipping by the end of May, the U.S. Corps of Engineers said Thursday evening.

 

The Corps, in a written statement, said it expects to open a limited access channel 280 feet wide and 35 feet deep in about four weeks.

 

The Corps said the channel would support one-way traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore for barge container service and some roll-on/roll-off vessels that move automobiles and farm equipment to and from the port.

 

Normal port capacity could be restored by the end of May, the Corps said, with the reopening of a permanent, 700-foot-wide by 50-foot-deep federal navigation channel.

 

Corps of Engineers gives timeline for Port of Baltimore reopening - The Baltimore Banner