Inquiry initiated following temporary loss of control by container vessel crew, leading to brief shutdown of Charleston bridge.
A ship known as MSC Michigan 7 faced an out of control situation in the Cooper River on Wednesday afternoon, according to Randy Preston, Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Sector Charleston. This prompted a warning from the Coast Guard, as well as the halting of boaters from its path and the closure of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
The bridge was closed in all directions due to the reported loss of the vessel's propulsion, as per a post by the Charleston Police Department. The Coast Guard Sector Charleston Deputy Commander explained that the ship was previously sailing at full speed, which means it approached the bridge with a powerful momentum.
The on-board pilot informed Preston that they encountered a difficulty in managing the engines, causing the vessel to be stuck at fully-open throttle – making it sail between 14 to 17 knots. Fortunately, the ship managed to pass under the bridge safely without making contact with any bridge supports.
During this incident, the crew finally rebooted the engine controls, subsequently anchoring the ship 8.5 nautical miles offshore. Preston underscored the significance of maintaining control over a vessel's propulsion: "Any time a vessel can't control its propulsion is concerning." Despite this, the positive outcome was attributed to "intense partnerships and coordination" between local authorities.
A crucial bridge for connecting Charleston to Mount Pleasant, the Ravenel Bridge is just over two-and-a-half miles long and has a cable-stayed main span of 1,546 feet. The area is managing an ongoing investigation headed by the Coast Guard.
According to Preston, the vessel MSC Michigan 7 is 997 feet long and 74,000 gross tons. Initially intended to reach Savannah, Georgia, it's been instructed to remain anchored until further notice.
Anxiety around possible collisions resulted in two recreational boaters being tossed onto some rocks by the ship's wake, both suffering non-serious injuries. Dockyard inspectors are currently evaluating potential damages to the ship's route.
A critical bridge closure by the Charleston Police Department took place around 12:41 p.m. while evacuating Fort Moultrie Beach as a precaution in the event that the stranded ship might need to ground.
A series of radio transmissions reveal that local authorities had concerns regarding the ship's lack of propulsion and the potential danger to the Ravenel Bridge. The critical exchange between two authorities goes as follows, with one emphasizing the risk of the tanker vessel colliding with the bridge: "We just received a report of a large tanker vessel, the MSC Michigan 7, currently outbound down the Cooper River - they've lost propulsion, and they might hit the Ravenel?" The other responds, "Yes ma'am, that is confirmed - we need the Ravenel Bridge shut down."
Upon safe passage, the bridge reopened to traffic and pedestrians as indicated by a US Coast Guard news release. This event follows the accident involving a 213-million-pound cargo vessel striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore just two months prior, resulting in the loss of six construction workers.
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The Coast Guard and local authorities closely monitored the situation to ensure the safety of the MSC Michigan 7 and prevent any potential collisions with the Ravenel Bridge. The incident highlighted the importance of maintaining control over the vessel's propulsion, as Preston stated, "Us maintaining control of our propulsion is critical."
