National Transportation Safety Board Marine Accident Brief
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued Marine Accident Brief regardingAllision of Bulk Carrier Herbert C. Jacksonwith the Jefferson Avenue Bridge onRouge River, near Detroit, Michigan.
About 0212 on May 12, 2013, the bulk carrier Herbert C. Jackson was cleared for passage through the Jefferson Avenue Bridge over the Rouge River about 6 miles southwest of Detroit, Michigan, when the bridge tender, who was legally intoxicated at the time, lowered the drawbridge, striking the bulk carriers bow. Damage to the vessel was estimated at $5,000. The bridge, a registered historic structure, was extensively damaged and expected to remain closed until 2015 for repair and restoration. No one was injured.
Wayne County Road Commission personnel determined the bridge control system was working properly at the time of the accident.
Rouge River police officers responding to the accident observed that the bridge tender appeared to be intoxicated and transported her to a nearby hospital for drug and alcohol testing under county regulations before Coast Guard investigators arrived. The bridge tenders blood alcohol level was found to exceed the legal limit. She had been employed by the Wayne County Road Commission for 17 years with no record of prior issues, counseling, or warnings, and had worked as a bridge operator for 8 years. The bridge tender accepted full responsibility for the accident and her employment was terminated following a Wayne County Road Commission disciplinary hearing.
Further details may be found by reading the Marine Accident Brief issued by NTSB.
Source: NTSB / Image Credit: vesseltracker.com
