ferry crash

[jlnorthrup122]

did anyone see the footage on the news of the ferry that crashed into a gate at a lock? Holy shit that would have sucked! jawdrop

[NastyOne]

Are you talking about that "stupid people" program that was on last night? They showed a boat running into the bridge and I laughed my ass off.
[ July 08, 2003, 03:17 PM: Message edited by: NastyOne ]

[jlnorthrup122]

I think that would be the one! Now come to think of it that was kinda funny. who int there rite mind would try to pass that small of an opening with that size of boat? :)

[Rod-64]

I happened to have lived right there in Providence R.I. That is called a Hurricane barrier...They close it when the storm surge hits...They built it after Providence was flooded out in the Hurricane of 1938.....I believe it was named Hurricane Carol. I saw a quick pic of it on MSNBC today. Didn't look too bad.
[ July 08, 2003, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: Rod-64 ]

[Rod-64]

http://
Repair work stalls resumption of new ferry service
07/08/2003
BY JACK PERRY and AMANDA MILKOVITS
projo.com and Journal staff writers
Updated 1:10 p.m.
PROVIDENCE -- Workers were hustling today to repair the new, high-speed ferry between Providence and Newport in the hope that it could resume running this afternoon, the company president said.
The ferry Ocean State was damaged yesterday when it bumped the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier.
The collision smashed several windows on the port side and peeled back the fashion work on top of the bumper, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage, according to Mike Glasfeld, the president of New England Fast Ferry Co., which runs the ferry for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.
Related links
New England Fast Ferry's site
More about the ferry service from Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
Learn about the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier
Workers had replaced the broken windows by early this afternoon, Glasfeld said.
Earlier today, Glasfeld said he hoped the ferry could make the 1:45 p.m. run from Providence to Newport. If not, he thought it would be able to make the 4:45 p.m. run.
Shortly after noon today, he said the repairs were continuing and it was unlikely that the ferry could make its 1:45 p.m. run on time. He said the ferry might be able to make a delayed 1:45 p.m. run at 2 p.m. or 2:15 p.m., and then make its 4:45 p.m. trips from Providence.
"It's all right down to the wire," he said.
For more information on when service will resume, travelers can contact the company at (401) 453-6800.
The new catamaran was carrying about 20 people on its fourth trip from Newport when it struck the barrier. Three women were slightly injured when they were tossed about in the lower deck, Glasfeld said. Each was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, although their injuries were believed to be minor, said acting Fire Chief Gary Mulcahy.
The other passengers walked away, while disappointed would-be passengers either lined up at the Point Street dock ticket counter for refunds or took up RIPTA's offer for the free bus trip to Newport. The ferry, which seats 146 passengers, was supposed to make five round trips, and tickets had been sold for each run, Glasfeld said. He hoped to have the damage repaired and the ferry back in service later today.
"It was extremely unfortunate, but the crew was wonderful," said one passenger, a Bristol man, who declined to give his name. "It was an accident."
Glasfeld was apologetic for the mishap and blamed the collision on human error. The skipper, master of record Paul Dunphey, is a 25-year veteran and has worked for the ferry company for 15 years. "You couldn't get a more experienced guy," Glasfeld said. "He grew up on the Bay, and he knows these waters."
The hurricane barrier presents some challenges, evidenced by the frequent times other boats have hit it in the past. The ferry company previously contracted by RIPTA often struck the barrier, said RIPTA spokeswoman Karen Mensel.
Yesterday was to be the 68-foot-long Ocean State's coming-out day. The new $2.3-million catamaran was originally supposed to debut June 15. Then its Fourth of July launch was postponed to let the Coast Guard complete standard safety inspections, Mensel said.
The Coast Guard returned to investigate the accident.
Until this mishap, Glasfeld said, the ferry company has had a perfect record this season, running ferries 12 times a day, seven days a week.
"People say there's no such thing as bad publicity, but clearly this is not the way we want to make our name," Glasfeld said ruefully.
The 24-foot wide catamaran was running about three feet off-center through the hurricane barrier when its bumper hit the steel wall, Glasfeld said.
The ferry company has been under contract with RIPTA since April 1. Boston Harbor Cruises had formerly run the ferries for RIPTA, with 70-minute one-way trips, Mensel said. The high-speed ferry, with a top speed of 34 knots, cut the trip to 45 minutes.
"The whole thrust was to put something out there that would be glorious," Mensel said. "And it will be."
Until the ferry is running, RIPTA customers have to settle for bus travel. The Fast Ferry Co. took the older ferry out of service. Passengers who had bought ferry tickets yesterday were offered refunds or free bus rides, Mensel said.
However, some at the Newport dock said they were refunded the $6 one-way fee, then charged $1.25 for a bus ticket to Providence.
Passengers in Newport learned of the cancellation from two signs that a Fast Ferry employee posted at the dock and harbormaster's office. They were told service was canceled due to "mechanical failures."
-- With from Newport by staff writer Shahien Nasiripour