After a container ship lost control of its engines in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor, prompting the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to close, an investigation is underway into the incident.
Around 12:17 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Command Center in Charleston received a report from the harbor’s pilot dispatch about an out-of-control vessel in the Cooper River.
The ship was identified as the MSC Michigan 7, coming in at 997 feet and 74,000 tons, coming from North Charleston and headed to Savannah, Ga.
“The pilot on board indicated the vessel lost ability to control the engines and they were stuck nearly full-ahead with the vessel making between 14 to 17 knots,” said Deputy Commander Randy Preston.
Throttles were near-full forward and could not be moved out of that position, said Preston.
“The pilot on board indicated the vessel lost ability to control the engines and they were stuck nearly full ahead with the vessel making between 14 to 17 knots,” Preston said.
Coast Guard boats and other agency partner assets were warned of the vessel, clearing vessel traffic from the ship channel. Police departments from Charleston and Mount Pleasant closed the bridge and evacuated pedestrians before the shipped passed under the bridge.
The situation remains under investigation.
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Source: The Hill, WPTZ
