Breaking Baltimore, ship brings down bridge, mass casualties

Looks like they lost power, scrambled the backup generators to restart the engines, got the ship started but power fizzled out again. Then power was restored but the ship drifted in the current and unfortunately lined straight up with that pylon. That's one theory anyway.

I also noticed at some point before impact, it looks like traffic going right to left was stopped. You can see the difference between semi's and cars and the headlights aren't visibly crossing the bridge towards the impact.

I hope that was quick thinking of the harbor master and he or she saved as many lives as possible. Just thinking about those that probably exited their vehicles in an effort to run back to safety is gut wrenching.

Pretty horrific.

ETA: Today's news is going to be overwhelming and I'm sure "a crisis wasted not", as well. Many things could use a distraction right now and this will be utilized for weeks.

🙏 Thoughts and prayers.

a reply to: Zanti Misfit

Amen.

a reply to: MindBodySpiritComplex

I think you just made yourself a staple on ATS.

That's crazy impressive how fast you came up with that.

a reply to: VariedcodeSole

I hope it was someone stopped traffic, although locals who cross the bridge daily probably could see it ain’t right, and stopped in their tracks and bolted.

a reply to: Cavemannick

Picture what could have happened during the likes of rush hour traffic.

The timing of the incident most likely saved quite a few lives.

a reply to: Cavemannick

This is the equivalent of taking away the Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston, or Woodrow Wilson Bridge in DC. Apart from the human loss, this is a devestating nightmare to Baltimore, the place is a sh*thole, but no city deserves this.

I'm paranoid by nature.

And a Sri Lankan flagged Pakistani ship hits a major support beam? Or the bridge span itself?

Frances Scott Key Bridge?

I withhold further assumption until the FD press conference.

How the F did this happen? This isn't a stupid Ryder truck driver not understanding height limit signs.

a reply to: andy06shake

It’s a blessing in disguise. It looked like it was mostly trucks or semi trailers passing at that time.

I feel for those lost, and their families.

Though imagine if it happened at morning or arvo peak, far worse

a reply to: Cavemannick

God bless the poor sods.

RIP to those who perished.

a reply to: Degradation33

I’m in Australia, and if this happened to the west gate bridge, which crosses the Yarra river into the major shipping port, if the bridge came down this would essentially split the city.

Agreed no place deserves this.

Though having worked with workers from overseas, they are slack dont have a work ethic, and dont really care.

They piss off for a one and a half hour lunch when it’s a half hour, are the first to dob you in if you take another five minutes.

It’s just a ten odd year old ship, goes to show you that the maintenance must be pretty crap.

Particularly if they are at sea, the crap box probably would break down.

originally posted by: Cavemannick
a reply to: Degradation33

I’m in Australia, and if this happened to the west gate bridge, which crosses the Yarra river into the major shipping port, if the bridge came down this would essentially split the city.

Agreed no place deserves this.

Though having worked with workers from overseas, they are slack dont have a work ethic, and dont really care.

They piss off for a one and a half hour lunch when it’s a half hour, are the first to dob you in if you take another five minutes.

It’s just a ten odd year old ship, goes to show you that the maintenance must be pretty crap.

Particularly if they are at sea, the crap box probably would break down.

Yes, prior to it's final construction the Westgate Bridge did collapse. Loss of over 30 lives. Next came the bridge over the Derwent River in Hobart, Brought down by a ship. Loss of life there too.

That collision split the city. No to mention those who actually drove off the collapsed span directly into the river. It was recorded that witnesses could see the headlights of a vehicle sinking in the river.

Sad.

Bally.

originally posted by: Astrocometus
The thought of children involved tears at my heart.

What children? Where does it say children are involved??

a reply to: Cavemannick

Really bad and the water is really cold too

a reply to: Cavemannick

In Russia they write that it was a Singapore container ship, and it sank.

a reply to: bally001

Although I have concerns about the Westgate bridge. It was originally a four lane bridge, that was designed to carry lighter vehicles, and trucks.

Now the emergency lane is a running lane, hence carrying far more traffic.

When it was built the average weight of a car was 1200 kilos, now the average is 1800 kilos, teslas 2.5 tonne.

Trucks were fully loaded 40 tonnes, now b doubles are at least 90 tonnes fully loaded.

I doubt the tolerances were considered for future weights and the loaded weight every hour of the day can maintain at least up to triple per hour of its design and weight limits.

I doubt it has much life left in it.

Same ship , Dali in 2016 Belgium , Antwerp :

a reply to: Kenzo

That’s pretty poor, where is the spotter on the stern? Probably asleep.

Is this normal practice?

originally posted by: randomuser2034

@ 1:20 you can see a ship-wide power outage.
@ 2:20 the power comes back on.
@2:30 you can see smoke start to billow out.
@ 5:33 it hits the bridge and the bridge collapses.

Excellent find!!
This actually explains a lot.
Sadly I haven't heard anyone else even mention this.

ETA: is smoke billowing BEFORE it hits the bridge? Maybe an on board fire?

a reply to: Cavemannick

I dont not know the circumstances ....heavy wind or something...

Not normal practice. Is something wrong with the crew or ship itself ? 2 accidents in 9 year...

a reply to: RussianTroll

I saw the live feed the Dali is still afloat, although makes me wonder if this is more. As now I realise this is a major port that probably supplies Washington, New York and Canada.

The port looks like it will not be able to receive and send out ships for ages, as the bridge has closed the port.

a reply to: RussianTroll

According to the live feed, it hasn't sunk.