Francis Scott Key Bridge South of Baltimore Collapses

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They would not let me and my truck into the Port Of Baltimore without an escort yet there doesn't seem to be anybody guiding this ship.

 

That brings back bad memories from the Webbers Falls I 40 bridge collapse in 01?

Terrible

 

Very true, the one small positive in this huge negative….

 

There was a harbor pilot on board.

 

The ship is required to have a harbor pilot. The harbor pilot may be in trouble, unless some other event is involved. Even US Navy ships are required to have harbor pilots at times, especially in overseas ports. They usually arrive on a ship by small boat or helicopter.

 

• A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, port pilot, ship pilot, or simply pilot, is a mariner who has specific knowledge of an often dangerous or congested waterway, such as harbors or river mouths. Maritime pilots know local details such as depth, currents, and hazards. They board and temporarily join the crew to safely guide the ship's passage, so they must als… See more
  
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  A Nigerian pilot assists a U.S. Navy ship into the harbor at Lagos using nautical charts

Compensation
The Florida Alliance of Maritime Organizations reported that Florida pilots' annual salaries range from US$100,000 to US$400,000, on par with other US states that have large ports. Columbia Bar pilots earn approxi… See more

Gallery
• Signal flag H (Hotel) is used to signal "Pilot on board"
• Signal flag G (Golf) is used to signal "I require a pilot" See more

 

Doesn’t appear to be any securement around the piers to help avoid a situation like this…..

 

The bridge they are replacing here in WV between exits 15 and 20 have been under weight limits for over a year before construction started.

After looking at some of the beams they removed, it’s no wonder they had a weight restriction….

 

I just went over that bridge Saturday morning with a hazmat load.

 

Note to self.. remember to pack flotation device before heading out again.