Tanker strikes San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

[cpzilliacus]

CBS News: Tanker strikes San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

Coast Guard investigators on Tuesday plan to interview the pilot of an empty tanker that struck a tower in the middle of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge while navigating beneath the hulking span.

The 752-foot Overseas Reymar rammed the tower on Monday afternoon as it headed out to sea, according to the Coast Guard and state transportation officials.

The unidentified pilot will also report to the state Board of Pilot Commissioners, which will conduct its own investigation of the accident. That board regulates bar pilots.

[agentsteel53]

looks like the bridge padding worked as designed. 

[myosh_tino]

"Strikes" is a pretty strong word.  I think it was more of a "Sideswipe" 

[cpzilliacus]

"Strikes" is a pretty strong word.  I think it was more of a "Sideswipe" 

When I hear of a large vessel striking a bridge, it always brings back memories of the 1980 Sunshine Skyway (I-275) disaster, when the southbound span was hit by the Summit Venture, a Nigerian freighter, and collapsed with multiple fatalities.

I drove across the Sunshine Skyway on the remaining (northbound) span, which was converted to two-way operation until the new cable-stayed bridge was opened to traffic.

[kendancy66]

I went fishing with my father on the closed span.  I think it was around the year 1981.

[triplemultiplex]

I went fishing with my father on the closed span.  I think it was around the year 1981.

That's a hell of a long way to winch up a fish!