From the headline I assumed they’d miscalculated the clearance, perhaps based on tides. But the story suggests they weren’t planning to go under the bridge, but rather lost control of engines and/or rudder and drifted into it.
I think you’re right it was mechanical or loss of power. Not only did they hit the bridge they careened into the embankment so they’d lost steering as well.
Do any ports ever have a tug on permanent standby? I know since Sea Empress the big tankers have to have a tug & tow line attached before they enter the Haven, but wonder if anywhere else has similar precautions?
If you see the videos there's a tug running alongside it, but no sign of a line to it. Not sure if it was meant to be helping or was simply in the area and trying to assist.
Diesels are supposed to be so reliable, but it's easy for a fuel line to be plugged with a bit of the tarry chewing gum that forms out of diesel fuel, or an electric fuel pump can pack it in. Usually there is time to fix things, but currents under the B Bridge are fierce.
Yes when the tide is running the East River can have some powerful currents. When the tide is running out there's a line of waves out by the ferry terminal. I used to ride that ferry all the time. Must have been running in when this happened.
Mechanical linkages to the transmission for shifting gears, and to the throttle, for adjusting power can also fail. The number of things that can and do fail is shocking and alarming.
Just saw some footage from immediately under the bridge, and she was going astern and it looks like she was generating a wake, moving under power rather than being carried by current (although that’s not to say the current wasn’t also flowing that way). Stuck in reverse?
Definitely agree from the 1 video I’ve seen.
Looked like she was steaming astern towards the river bank at quite a speed, with a nearby tug (not connected?) trying to catch her. Defo didn’t look like a navigational error.
I think that is the top of the rudder. Could be she was stuck in reverse, but the tide rip would also pull her towards the east side bank in that location.
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Looked like she was steaming astern towards the river bank at quite a speed, with a nearby tug (not connected?) trying to catch her. Defo didn’t look like a navigational error.