Incident Near Block Island

[J from Harwinton]

I was caught in this fog yesterday off the Maine Coast, radar and GPS are great but it takes a lot to slow down and change course for these large vessels - thank God no one got hurt. We crept along very slowly listening for lobster boats, it was harrowing. Almost no visibility.

[Captain Morgan]

J from Harwinton wrote:

I was caught in this fog yesterday off the Maine Coast, radar and GPS are great but it takes a lot to slow down and change course for these large vessels

I'm pretty sure it would have been a different fog than the one you were in. LOL! As far as slowing down, there is no reason I can think of why these two boats would not have been aware of each other from a couple of miles off. The Ferry has a regular schedule and approximate route. Both vessels had RADAR, as well as radios, and trained operators. They should have been giving signals and communicating via radio well in advance of being too close to avoid each other. If either has any excuses, they will have to be VERY creative ones. I predict two captains being found guilty of multiple massive screw-ups on this one.

[Grampy]

GPS and radar can't beat stupid.

[So There]

One slow moving object hits another in a fog -- at first I thought this story was about Jodi Rell's leadership colliding with that of the CT General Assembly.

[Jercar]

Uh, Uho!!! Better get Maaco!!

[ricbee]

Both at Fault wrote:

+ Highly experienced crews
+ Both know the area well
+ Coast Guard knows frequent ferry path nearby and schedule of ferry
+ Both Knowingly traveling in bad weather
+ Both know the protocols for travel in reduced visibility (i.e, reduced speed, use of fog horn)
My guess is that they'll both be at fault.

You're a lousy guesser-the CG is at fault & heads should roll.

[Brit]

Why does he have to be relieved? Why are we so quick to judge these days? No one truly knows what happened yet. When did an accident stop simply being an accident? For the sake of these people's families.(both the coast guard crew, and ferry's crew) let well enough alone. At least until you know all of the facts.

former military wrote:

Unfortunately, the CG Captain will be relieved and his career ruined. That's always the military's knee jerk reaction. A ZERO DEFECT mentality. I say this as a retired military member who had a great career but for the Grace of God this could have been me.

[ricbee]

The CG Captain failed in his duty,for whatever reason he should be relieved.

[Confused]

What is "Transparent" supposed to mean in English????

[Captain Morgan]

It's getting more interesting. The Morro Bay was returning from a "celebration where a new commander had just been appointed to her. That's right. A new captain on his first voyage on his new command. Coming home from a "party". I still think that both boats will get a share of blame for this one. They both made serious errors for a collision to have occurred. The "party" may not even be a factor, but it sure adds entertainment value to the story.

[Robbie G]

Johnny wrote:

I was on the ship and i was sleeping. I heard this loud bang and then started to hear someone keep yelling over and over again Captain! Ice berg straight ahead. Then a few people were saying they want a full refund and want to be towed to shore because they had to get their nails done.

I can't believe you would make up some ridiculous story about this accident.... First of all there are no icebergs inbetween rhode island and block island.... Second: No one would want to be towed just to get their nails done!

[Jeff H]

Robbie G wrote:

<quoted text>
I can't believe you would make up some ridiculous story about this accident.... First of all there are no icebergs inbetween rhode island and block island.... Second: No one would want to be towed just to get their nails done!

You must be real fun to have at parties. NOT. Nitwit. You didn't catch the humorous reference AT ALL. Whoosh, right over your head.

[henry landis]

I have a statement and a question for the idiot who snickered at the ferry collision and the "shallow water sailors" of the U.S. Coast Guard. I was a soldier who waded ashore in the shallow water of Omaha Beach, and the boat driver, as many who piloted the landing crafts, was a Coast Guardsman. Where were YOU ?