Experts discuss Baltimore bridge collapse investigation, early findings

CBS News

26 Mar 202414:48

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses a maritime incident where a ship lost propulsion before colliding with a bridge. James Meran, the president of the New York Board of Pilot Commissioners, explains the potential scenarios and emergency measures like dropping anchor. The conversation highlights the complexity of the situation, the training of pilots, and the challenges faced during emergencies. The interview also touches on the liability and legal implications of the accident, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation by the NTSB and Coast Guard. The discussion includes the bridge's structural integrity and the ongoing rescue efforts, with the priority on search and rescue operations.

Takeaways

🚢 The ship lost propulsion and steering before the collision with the bridge, rendering it uncontrollable.
🌫️ A large puff of black smoke was observed just before the impact, possibly indicating a last-minute attempt to regain power or control.
🛳️ Pilots and captains are trained to drop anchor in such situations, but it may not always be effective to stop the ship quickly.
📏 The ship's size, over 900 feet long, makes stopping it a significant challenge even with emergency measures.
🚨 The Mayday call indicates a significant mechanical failure on the ship, which would be thoroughly investigated.
📝 Modern ships have Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) that provide detailed information about the events leading to an incident.
👨‍⚖️ James Maran, a maritime attorney, suggests that the liability case will be complex and take years to resolve, involving multiple parties and claims.
🌉 The bridge's design and ability to withstand such an impact is questioned, considering the ship's massive size and force.
🛠️ The investigation into the cause of the accident will be led by the NTSB and the Coast Guard, with a focus on understanding the mechanical failure.
🔍 The structural integrity of the bridge had been inspected, with concerns raised in a recent report, which will be a factor in the investigation.

Q & A

What does it mean when a ship loses propulsion before the bridge collapses?
-When a ship loses propulsion before the bridge collapses, it implies that the ship has lost both steering and power. This situation renders the ship unable to navigate effectively and it becomes a 'dead ship' being carried by the current or its own momentum, significantly limiting the options available to the crew in maintaining steerage, especially in narrow channels like the one in New York Harbor.
How might a pilot be trained to react to a loss of propulsion?
-Pilots are trained to handle such situations by fighting to restore power in the engine room, as without propulsion, maintaining steerage becomes extremely challenging. In some cases, they may also be trained to drop anchors, although this comes with the risk of running over their own anchors if the ship cannot go in reverse and has significant forward momentum.
What could the big puff of black smoke observed prior to the collision indicate?
-The big puff of black smoke could suggest that power was restored at the last minute and the pilot was attempting an emergency maneuver, such as going full astern or making a hard left turn, to avoid the collision.
What is the role of a voyage data recorder (VDR) in such incidents?
-A voyage data recorder (VDR) is the maritime equivalent of a black box in airplanes. It records various parameters of the ship, including rudder angle and propulsion, as well as audio from the bridge. This information is crucial in determining the sequence of events leading to the incident and identifying the cause of the malfunction.
What are the potential legal implications of the incident?
-The legal implications are vast, involving damage to the bridge and the ship, casualty and injury claims, business interruption claims due to the halted commerce, and the need for a major salvage operation. The case could take years to resolve, involving numerous attorneys and significant insurance considerations.
How long would it take for a ship of this size to come to a complete stop after dropping anchors?
-Given the ship's length of over 900 feet and a speed of about eight knots, it would likely take the length of five or six football fields to come to a complete stop, even after dropping the anchors, due to the ship's momentum and power.
What is the significance of the ship's lights flickering before the collision?
-The flickering lights could indicate a momentary restoration of power, which might have been an attempt by the pilot to regain control and avoid the collision.
What is the role of the Coast Guard and NTSB in investigating such incidents?
-The Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. They will examine the ship, interview surviving crew members, and analyze the voyage data recorder to determine the cause of the mechanical failure that led to the loss of propulsion and steering.
How does the infrastructure, such as the bridge, factor into the investigation?
-The investigation will also consider the bridge's design and ability to withstand such an impact. Federal inspection reports and the bridge's overall condition will be reviewed to understand if there were any pre-existing concerns that may have contributed to the rapid collapse of the bridge.
What are the search and rescue efforts like in the aftermath of the incident?
-Search and rescue efforts involve dive and rescue teams, sonar and infrared equipment to locate victims in the water, and aerial searches. The efforts are focused on identifying and reaching victims as efficiently as possible, taking into account the challenges posed by tides and the need for cautious operation near the collapsed bridge structure.
What precautions are being taken by the rescue team considering the recent bridge collapse?
-The rescue team is operating cautiously, maintaining a safe distance from the collapsed bridge structure to avoid any adverse conditions that may affect their operations and safety.

Outlines

00:00

🚢 Ship's Loss of Propulsion and Pilot's Response

The first paragraph discusses the situation where a ship lost propulsion before the bridge collapse. James Meran, the president of the New York Board of Pilot Commissioners, explains the implications of losing both steering and power, rendering the ship uncontrollable. He highlights the importance of the crew's efforts to restore power and the potential emergency maneuvers, such as dropping anchors, despite the challenges posed by the ship's size and momentum. The conversation also touches on the role of the voyage data recorder (VDR) in providing crucial information for the investigation.

05:00

🚨 Liability and Legal Implications

In the second paragraph, the discussion shifts towards the legal aspects of the incident. As a maritime attorney, James Meran elaborates on the complexity of the case, which involves damage to the bridge and ship, casualty and injury claims, business interruption, and cargo delays. He emphasizes the extensive litigation process and the need for thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The conversation also notes the role of insurance in covering the significant costs associated with such incidents.

10:01

🔍 Investigation and Infrastructure Concerns

The third paragraph focuses on the investigation into the cause of the ship's accident and the structural integrity of the bridge. Robert Sewalt, a former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, explains the difficulty of designing a bridge to withstand the impact of a large ship. The conversation addresses the federal inspection of the Key Bridge, which had been rated fair. The priority of search and rescue efforts is also highlighted, along with the challenges posed by the tides and the need for cautious operations due to the recent bridge collapse.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡propulsion

Propulsion refers to the ability of a vessel to move forward or backward through the application of thrust. In the context of the video, the loss of propulsion indicates that the ship lost its ability to steer and move, rendering it essentially a 'dead ship' at the mercy of currents and momentum. This is critical as it sets the stage for the subsequent events, including the collision with the bridge.

💡pilot

A pilot in the maritime context is a professional who navigates vessels through waterways, ensuring safe passage. In the video, the pilot's training and reaction to the loss of propulsion are discussed, highlighting their crucial role in managing emergencies at sea. The pilot's actions and decisions in such situations can significantly impact the outcome of an event.

💡anchor

An anchor is a device used to moor a vessel by securing it to the bed of the body of water in which it is located. In the video, the discussion about dropping the anchor highlights a potential emergency measure to stop a ship that has lost propulsion. However, the effectiveness of this action depends on various factors, including the ship's momentum and the presence of crew members to deploy the anchor.

💡voyage data recorder (VDR)

A voyage data recorder (VDR) is an electronic system used aboard modern ships to record various parameters, similar to a black box in aviation. It provides critical data about the ship's operations, including verbal communications, which can be invaluable in investigations following maritime incidents. The VDR's data can help determine the sequence of events leading up to an accident, including mechanical failures and crew actions.

💡bridge

In the context of the video, a bridge refers to the structure that was hit and collapsed. It is a critical piece of infrastructure that facilitates transportation and commerce. The collapse of the bridge has significant implications for safety, transportation, and the local economy. The bridge's design and ability to withstand impacts are also part of the discussion, as it is considered whether the infrastructure should have been capable of withstanding the strike from the ship.

💡salvage operation

A salvage operation is the process of recovering and repairing a ship or its cargo after an accident or disaster. In the video, the salvage operation is mentioned in the context of the extensive work required to remove the remnants of the collapsed bridge and to deal with the wreck of the ship. This operation can take weeks and has significant implications for commerce and the local community.

💡liability

Liability in this context refers to the legal responsibility for damages or injuries caused by an accident or incident. The video discusses the potential for significant liability in the case of the ship's collision with the bridge, including damage to the bridge and ship, casualties, injury claims, and business interruption claims. The complexity of this case is emphasized, as it involves multiple parties and requires extensive legal proceedings.

💡NTSB

The NTSB, or National Transportation Safety Board, is a U.S. government agency that investigates transportation accidents and makes safety recommendations to prevent future occurrences. In the video, the NTSB is expected to lead or participate in the investigation into the cause of the ship's collision with the bridge, highlighting the importance of understanding the factors that led to this incident.

💡rescue efforts

Rescue efforts refer to the organized actions taken to save people in distress or danger. In the video, the rescue efforts are described as extensive, involving dive and rescue teams, sonar equipment, and infrared technology. These efforts are crucial in the immediate aftermath of the incident to locate and assist those affected by the disaster.

💡structural concerns

Structural concerns refer to potential issues with the integrity of buildings or infrastructure. In the video, these concerns are relevant to the bridge that collapsed and the potential risks to the rescue teams operating in the area. The safety of the rescue personnel and the stability of the surrounding structures are important considerations following such a significant event.

Highlights

James Meran, the president of the New York Board of Pilot Commissioners, provides insights on the ship's loss of propulsion and potential reactions of the pilot.

The ship lost both steering and power, rendering it a 'dead ship' just being carried by current or its own momentum.

A large puff of black smoke moments before the collision might suggest a last-minute attempt to regain power and maneuver.

Pilots and captains are trained to drop anchor in such situations, but the ship's momentum could cause it to run over its own anchor.

The ship's length and speed would require a significant distance to stop, even with anchors deployed.

The presence of a bow watch person and their readiness to deploy anchors in an emergency is crucial.

Modern ships are equipped with a Voyage Data Recorder (VDR), which records everything that happens on the bridge.

The investigation will involve examining the VDR to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the malfunction.

Robert Sewalt, a former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, suggests the incident points to a mechanical error.

The steering system on the ship is hydraulically powered, and a loss of electrical power would result in a loss of steering.

The investigation into the cause of the incident will be led by the NTSB and the Coast Guard.

The bridge's design could not possibly withstand the impact of a ship with the mass of the one involved in the incident.

The latest federal inspection of the bridge scored it a six out of nine, indicating it was in fair condition.

Search and rescue efforts are the priority, utilizing sonar and infrared equipment to locate victims in the water.

Dive and rescue teams are deployed and will reassess their approach with the arrival of daylight.

The current in the water presents a challenge as it may have moved individuals away from the initial point of entry.

Structural concerns due to the bridge collapse require cautious operation by the rescue team.