"Baltimore Bridge Disaster: Uncovering Common Conditions"
An analysis of U.S. Coast Guard data reveals that over the past 22 years, there have been over 6,000 incidents of ships losing power, propulsion, or steering, with at least 900 occurring near bridges. These incidents, while mostly routine, have occasionally resulted in major or significant damage to both ships and structures. The frequency of such malfunctions has been on the rise, attributed to factors such as machinery damage or failure, delayed maintenance, and supply chain delays in getting spare parts. The article also highlights the potential causes of power outages, the risks to life and property, and the need for extra precaution when ships navigate near critical infrastructure.