Francis Scott Key bridge is no more - video

[henri]

Perhaps a bit jaded, but I have my doubts this was an accident. Maybe it was. Likely it wasn't.

[glocktogo]

Simple. A little history is needed though. In order to cut costs, the US merchant Marine fleet was basically eliminated. Well, over 90% of these large container and cruise ships are foreign flagged. Many years ago, most of these ships coming into US ports, had US flags in US crews operating them. Now they're all operated by what's referred to as "flag of convenience" carriers. They flag the ship in countries that have very relaxed safety and qualification rules. At least compared to US standards. They are trying to do the same with the airlines. What could possibly go wrong...

Anyone want to play bets on what they're going to name the bridge once it's rebuilt?

Maersk Bridge?

FWIW, reports are saying it was under the control of a local pilot while transiting out of the bay. I can only imagine being a recently embarked "pilot" and winding up in the middle of a disaster caused by poor command and maintenance.

[Coal Dragger]

Well it’s Baltimore so the local pilot for the ship was probably a DEI hire who wasn’t qualified.

[markm]

Well it’s Baltimore so the local pilot for the ship was probably a DEI hire who wasn’t qualified.

No kidding.

[Det-Sog]

Well it’s Baltimore so the local pilot for the ship was probably a DEI hire who wasn’t qualified.

True, but... Sully Sullenberger could've been the port pilot on that ship and it wouldn't have mattered. The thing had a complete power failure. Power goes down, so does guidance. Think no control. Just a couple seconds was all it took. Once something that big gets off course, it doesn't just stop or sharp turn. Like stopping one of your trains when a truck runs a crossing and gets stuck. Or trying to knife edge turn my 500,000+ pound jet. NOT going to happen.

When everything comes to light, I would just about guarantee the entire crew below deck were minimum wage, barely qualified foreign workers.

As for the name when the bridge is rebuilt... I'm betting on something like "John Lewis".

[SteyrAUG]

Simple. A little history is needed though. In order to cut costs, the US merchant Marine fleet was basically eliminated. Well, over 90% of these large container and cruise ships are foreign flagged. Many years ago, most of these ships coming into US ports, had US flags in US crews operating them. Now they're all operated by what's referred to as "flag of convenience" carriers. They flag the ship in countries that have very relaxed safety and qualification rules. At least compared to US standards. They are trying to do the same with the airlines. What could possibly go wrong...

Anyone want to play bets on what they're going to name the bridge once it's rebuilt?

The Brother Lenin Bridge.

[Coal Dragger]

True, but... Sully Sullenberger could've been the port pilot on that ship and it wouldn't have mattered. The thing had a complete power failure. Power goes down, so does guidance. Think no control. Just a couple seconds was all it took. Once something that big gets off course, it doesn't just stop or sharp turn. Like stopping one of your trains when a truck runs a crossing and gets stuck. Or trying to knife edge turn my 500,000+ pound jet. NOT going to happen.

When everything comes to light, I would just about guarantee the entire crew below deck were minimum wage, barely qualified foreign workers.

As for the name when the bridge is rebuilt... I'm betting on something like "John Lewis".

Hey hey hey now!

Stop stymying my shit talking about Baltimore and their DEI/Affirmative Action programs with your facts!

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

If only we had a long metal road way that we could put on the water that you could drive over. Something like a ‘pier’…. You know, to reach across the water…. Where oh where could we find one…

[SomeOtherGuy]

True, but... Sully Sullenberger could've been the port pilot on that ship and it wouldn't have mattered. The thing had a complete power failure. Power goes down, so does guidance. Think no control. Just a couple seconds was all it took. Once something that big gets off course, it doesn't just stop or sharp turn. Like stopping one of your trains when a truck runs a crossing and gets stuck. Or trying to knife edge turn my 500,000+ pound jet. NOT going to happen.

Power failure looks to be a cause. But what caused the power failure? Poor maintenance and cyberattack seem like two candidates. So this could have been yet another instance of incompetence = disaster, or part of WW3, don't know yet.

When everything comes to light, I would just about guarantee the entire crew below deck were minimum wage, barely qualified foreign workers.

Looks like the crew was just about all from India, although the captain may have been Ukrainian.

Indian sailors have a somewhat mixed record:
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/bu...n-hatch-166873

And I would bet the Indian Navy does better, on average, than a randomly assembled commercial ship crew working for whatever wages are paid on freighters.

[SomeOtherGuy]

Here's the deliberate attack concept in detail:

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...sources-claim/

I don't know either way.