Ship hits Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, bridge then collapses

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

 

Edited March 26, 2024 by \GoBillsInDallas/

[That's No Moon]

I have a lot of questions. A lot. The first of which being how that happens on a clear night with no appreciable weather.

 

The second is how does this happen when the ship has a harbor pilot on board and in command.

Edited March 26, 2024 by That's No Moon

[Gregg]

Terrible news. I hope the people that were on that bridge can all be found alive.

[aristocrat]

Ship apparently lost power and steering so right into the bridge. let's hope the construction crew was on lunch and off the bridge. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

  On 3/26/2024 at 11:40 AM, aristocrat said:

Ship apparently lost power and steering so right into the bridge. let's hope the construction crew was on lunch and off the bridge. 

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Same reason those ships collided in the Welland Canal a few years back.  One vessel lost steering control at a critical moment.

 

[Doc]

Terrible.  Thankfully there weren't a lot of cars on the bridge and 2 people (out of 7 missing last I heard) were rescued.

[PromoTheRobot]

I used to live in Baltimore but rarely drove on the Key Bridge. I'm stunned at how easily the bridge went down. I thought those supports were sturdier.

[Wacka]

This AM they said 2 people rescued, one in serious condition. Looking for at least 20 more people.

[That's No Moon]

  On 3/26/2024 at 11:58 AM, PromoTheRobot said:

I used to live in Baltimore but rarely drove on the Key Bridge. I'm stunned at how easily the bridge went down. I thought those supports were sturdier.

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Ships are really heavy and when moving represent a lot of kinetic energy. Bridges aren't built to withstand that. 

[PromoTheRobot]

  On 3/26/2024 at 12:06 PM, That's No Moon said:

Ships are really heavy and when moving represent a lot of kinetic energy. Bridges aren't built to withstand that. 

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But what about the cement foundations? 

[That's No Moon]

  On 3/26/2024 at 12:13 PM, PromoTheRobot said:

 

But what about the cement foundations? 

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They aren't designed to handle lateral loads like that. They are designed to withstand compressing loads from above, not to be pushed over (or through) from the side.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

  On 3/26/2024 at 12:06 PM, That's No Moon said:

Ships are really heavy and when moving represent a lot of kinetic energy. Bridges aren't built to withstand that. 

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  On 3/26/2024 at 12:13 PM, PromoTheRobot said:

But what about the cement foundations? 

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  On 3/26/2024 at 12:20 PM, That's No Moon said:

They aren't designed to handle lateral loads like that. They are designed to withstand compressing loads from above, not to be pushed over (or through) from the side.

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Bridges are supposed to have "dolphins" that protect the bridge piers:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_(structure)

 

[boyst]

  On 3/26/2024 at 12:44 PM, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

 

 

 

Bridges are supposed to have "dolphins" that protect the bridge piers:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_(structure)

 

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Tua needs some Dolphins more than anyone/anything.

[Your Brown Eye]

unbelievable, I hope those that are still alive are able to be rescued

[muppy]

you never know when may be your last moment on earth right? I mean these people doing their job or going about their business end up in a horrible accident.

 

Tell your people you love them every single day. Lord have mercy.

[That's No Moon]

  On 3/26/2024 at 12:44 PM, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

 

 

 

Bridges are supposed to have "dolphins" that protect the bridge piers:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_(structure)

 

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Yep. And newly constructed bridges usually do but not always. The new Tappan Zee bridge doesn't have them. 

 

Fun fact, the picture of the Skyway in that Wikipedia site is of a bridge that was built to replace a bridge that was destroyed in the exact same way as the Key Bridge was today. Ship collision. Hence when they built its replacement protection from ship collision was a strong consideration.

 

The Key Bridge was built in 1977. There are TONS of older bridges in shipping lanes that don't have them. The South Grand Island Bridge is an example. The Bay Bridge in Annapolis doesn't have them either.

 

Whatever they replace the Key Bridge with won't be built the same way. It'll either have the biggest dolphins you've ever seen or be a different type of bridge that gets the support pillars much further out of the shipping channel so any ship would ground itself before hitting them.

Edited March 26, 2024 by That's No Moon

[Saxum]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/03/26/baltimore-key-bridge-collapse-maryland/

 

  Quote

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said a construction crew was on the bridge at the time it collapsed. The workers were repairing potholes and masonry. Wiedenfeld said officials believe that eight members of that crew fell into the water. Two have been rescued.

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[PromoTheRobot]

  On 3/26/2024 at 2:52 PM, That's No Moon said:

Yep. And newly constructed bridges usually do but not always. Fun fact, the picture of the Skyway in that Wikipedia site is of a bridge that was built to replace a bridge that was destroyed in the exact same way as the Key Bridge was today. Ship collision. Hence when they built its replacement protection from ship collision was a strong consideration.

 

The Key Bridge was built in 1977. There are TONS of older bridges in shipping lanes that don't have them. The South Grand Island Bridge is an example. The Bay Bridge in Annapolis doesn't have them either.

 

Whatever they replace the Key Bridge with won't be built the same way. It'll either have the biggest dolphins you've ever seen or be a different type of bridge that gets the support pillars much further out of the shipping channel so any ship would ground itself before hitting them.

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Or a tunnel, like the I-95 Harbor Tunnel.

[NoHuddleKelly12]

Apparently this same container ship was involved in a previous collision event, in Antwerp:

https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/26/baltimore-bridge-ship-previous-collision-antwerp-2016

[muppy]

I was told that the ship lost steering ability/ power and a SOS was alerted wherein they shut down the bridge.

 

This accident could have been much worse if that action hadn't happened. Someone did their job correctly Thank God.

 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/baltimore-key-bridge-collapse/?id=108500215