Barge Crashes Into Bridge

G

gcolton

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Can you imagine just how dumb a Captain/and or crew had to be to do THIS

The top of the crane was several feet above the bridge deck.

I am glad that I do not have to travel to the island for a few days. It is also spring break time here now and traffic is bad.

This was not just a little mistake. At least there does not appear to be any major structural damage.

George
 
He wasn't watching the store. Could be the water level went up, but he sould have known that too.
 
quote:
Originally posted by JimPend

He wasn't watching the store. Could be the water level went up, but he sould have known that too.

Click to expand...


We do not get water level changes like that around here. A one foot tide is the normal.

George
 
Crane operator tells captain how high the crane is. Captain forgets to add deck height to crane height?
 
I think the easiest thing to overlook would be to add the freeboard to the crane height as Boatbum suggests. Seems lack of clearance should have been visible. Perhaps, before final judgment, approach was too fast and with a fierce current pushing, it was already beyond the point of no return. I will watch for the official investigation report in the USCG publication I receive.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rub Rails

I think the easiest thing to overlook would be to add the freeboard to the crane height as Boatbum suggests. Seems lack of clearance should have been visible. Perhaps, before final judgment, approach was too fast and with a fierce current pushing, it was already beyond the point of no return. I will watch for the official investigation report in the USCG publication I receive.

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That bridge is 5.6 miles from the closest pass. I have never seen much current in that area.

George
 
The Brooks Bridge and the Navarre Bridge, at 50' vertical clearance, are both "Low Bridges" on the GICWW. All the other bridges on the GICWW are a minimum of 65' with most bridges in the 72' range. More economic stimulus for the Florida Panhandle courtesy of the P&I carrier for the tug. Not making excuses for the tug operator but this is a minor issue in the marine business. Kind of like you making a typo in a business letter. You do your best to keep it from happening but despite your best efforts typo's occur.
 
What if he towed that same crane though a few times before, but the crane operator had it lower then. Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is that in anything high risk, its complacency that ultimately gets ya.
 
Hitting a bridge a "minor issue"???

Maybe it s just me but i always double check my air clearance and if it s going to be close I go extra slow and have a spotter!!
 
L. Keith

Please tell all of the people whose lives were disrupted by this that it is a "minor issue in the marine business". Let us all know what their responses were.
 
That charter boat must be a sight pushing a crane barge! Minor handrail damage and damage to a waterline. The bridge is back in service.

Local folks have lived with a lot worse than this. During Opal, the island was washed over and the road washed totally out. I think the road (US 98) was closed/restricted for about 6-8 months, so to real Gulf Coast folks, no issues. The people with money come from the Destin side anyway and that route was not impacted. Now it may have affected happy hour at Sammy's, by keeping a crowd there longer than normal, I'm sure the girls were appreciative.

How many tractor trailer rigs hit interstate guard rails or were involved in some type of accident that delayed traffic today?
 
quote:
Originally posted by L. Keith

The Brooks Bridge and the Navarre Bridge, at 50' vertical clearance, are both "Low Bridges" on the GICWW. All the other bridges on the GICWW are a minimum of 65' with most bridges in the 72' range. More economic stimulus for the Florida Panhandle courtesy of the P&I carrier for the tug. Not making excuses for the tug operator but this is a minor issue in the marine business. Kind of like you making a typo in a business letter. You do your best to keep it from happening but despite your best efforts typo's occur.

Click to expand...


If this is a minor issue in the marine business then why is the Coast Guard saying the Captain could lose his license over it?

George
 
The license of the tow boat operator is at risk every day he/she goes to work. What's new about that?
 
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