Container ship loses propulsion near New York’s Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER A CONTAINER SHIP LOST POWER AND STRUCK THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE IN BALTIMORE – CAUSING THE BRIDGE TO COLLAPSE…

ANOTHER MASSIVE CONTAINER SHIP LOST POWER AND PROPULSION ABILITIES IN NEW YORK CITY WATERS NEAR THE VERRAZZANO-NARROWS BRIDGE FRIDAY NIGHT.

THE US COAST GUARD CONFIRMED – THE APL QINGDAO CONTAINER SHIP “EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PROPULSION” IN NEW YORK HARBOR – TRAVELING CLOSE TO THE BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS STATEN ISLAND TO BROOKLYN.

THREE TUGBOATS WERE ACCOMPANYING THE VESSEL AT THE TIME – A STANDARD PROCEDURE IN NEW YORK AS THESE SHIPS MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE ATLANTIC.

THE COAST GUARD SAYS THE TUGBOATS TOWED THE SHIP UNTIL IT REGAINED POWER – AND EVENTUALLY ANCHORED NORTH OF THE BRIDGE.

THE SITUATION IS EERILY SIMILAR TO THE DEADLY BALTIMORE KEY BRIDGE INCIDENT – IN WHICH THE DALI CONTAINER SHIP LOST POWER BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE BRIDGE – KILLING SIX CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

AUTHORITIES SAID THE SHIP DID NOT COME CLOSE TO MAKING CONTACT WITH THE VERRAZZANO BRIDGE – BUT IF IT HAD – THE BRIDGE HAS A ROCK-BASED SYSTEM AROUND IT’S FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE PROTECTION.

THE APL QINGDAO CONTAINER SHIP WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ITS VOYAGE AFTER MEETING THE COAST GUARD’S REQUIREMENTS OF REPAIRING THE PROPULSION SYSTEM.

THE SHIP IS NOW ON ITS WAY TO NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.