Container Ship hits Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor

[CajunBass]

I'm seeing news reports that overnight (about 0130) a container ship leaving Baltimore Harbor, hit one of the plyons on the Francis Scott Key Bridge and caused the bridge to collapse. It looks like a pretty good portion of the bridge is down, and there are said to be cars and at least one tractor trailer in the water.

Sorry, I don't know much more about it.

 

[Screwball]

https://x.com/HaywerdJablomi/status/1772508796729852383?s=20

 

[Telecaster]

Someone’s maritime career has just ended.

 

[Narragansett]

Hello Prudential?

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

"Container Ship hits Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor"

I think that may have been the problem: it was a key bridge, and the ship's captain didn't have the key. (Sorry....so very, very sorry...)

 

[soFlaNative]

That was hard to watch, I thought I had it rough with traffic streaming by as our crew worked, watching those vehicles tumble sucked.

 

[UncleEd]

When the ship hit, you can see a ripple
effect all along the entire span as its
center rises slightly. Then several spans
go down. Horrible.

 

[dmar]

What an awful situation, praying for those impacted by this disaster…

 

[Telecaster]

It was a full moon…

 

[tlawler]

The Key Bridge…Francis Scott Key Bridge. Thank God it didn’t happen during rush hour. My coworkers and I were just talking yesterday about the Skyway Bridge here in Tampa that went down in 1980.

 

[Sistema1927]

If you watch the videos, the power went out on the container ship a couple of times prior to the collision. I am guessing that attention focused on that problem took it away from navigation.

I am reminded of the order to be followed when dealing with a problem while flying: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. In other words, keep it flying level and without running into something prior to anything else.

EDITED to add: It appears now that the ship's condition was such that they had no control whatsoever. Sometimes you just have to ride it down to wherever it ends up. Sad day.

 

[chief38]

I am certainly no bridge engineer, but to this guy's eyes it seems to me that the bridge was inadequately engineered and built. For a bridge to be built so shoddy in a major trafficked passage, it was way to flimsy in my eyes. Lots of bridges on major passages are reinforced with thick concrete. For a bridge to totally collapse in less than 10 seconds it tells me someone approved an ill designed structure. Obviously I am just a non expert observer, but 10 seconds????? Really? Remember.... accidents do and will happen!

 

[jbtrucker]

Just seen the video thats terrible so sad for victims . don't remember if ever drove that route .

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

The ship owner has no doubt already filed a limitation action. No real excuse for an allision in this day an age absent some type of mechanical malfunction or a drunk helmsman. London underwriters are sweating today.

 

[NYlakesider]

I am certainly no bridge engineer, but to this guy's eyes it seems to me that the bridge was inadequately engineered and built. For a bridge to be built so shoddy in a major trafficked passage, it was way to flimsy in my eyes. Lots of bridges on major passages are reinforced with thick concrete. For a bridge to totally collapse in less than 10 seconds it tells me someone approved an ill designed structure. Obviously I am just a non expert observer, but 10 seconds????? Really? Remember.... accidents do and will happen!

With the size and weight of that moving small city, nothing would survive a hit.

 

[CH4]

Wonder it the Captain’s last name is Smith.

Terrible tragedy. Hope death and injuries are minimal.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The bridge was completed in1972, an average loaded cargo ship weighs 160,000 tons (320,000,000 pounds) with momentum. I don't see a design problem, maybe a Maintenace/Deterioration problem. For some reason for the last 52 years, nobody ran into the bridge.

I am truly sorry for those people that perished through no fault or action of their own. The Silver Bridge collapsed across the Ohio River in the late 60's during the daytime and took far more vehicles down with it! The timing was a Godsend!

Ivan

 

[UncleEd]

The bridge is 46 years old and that means
untold stresses have been endured as traffic,
including trucks, has pounded it all those years.

At this time I doubt anyone knows how much
force the ship delivered when it hit a support
structure.

Maintenance is the keyword. Expansion and
contraction from heat and cold are a major factor.

Every time I've driven on long bridges I've
wondered could this be the day.

 

[glenwolde]

It's quite possible an equipment failure caused him to lose his rudder. Especially if he was traveling downstream.

 

[oldbrownhat]

WaPo live coverage here (free link)

...Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said several people were likely on Francis Scott Key Bridge when it fell and that vehicles have been detected in the water...

...Kevin Cartwright, the fire department’s communications director....told The Washington Post earlier that up to 20 people could be in the water. The Baltimore City Fire Department described the collapse as a “mass casualty incident.”
​

Not to be frivolous, but "a terrible sight by the dawn's early light"