All articles tagged with #maritime disaster
The 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the most tragic maritime disaster in U.S. history, is commemorated, highlighted by the iconic song by Gordon Lightfoot that memorializes the event and its lost crew.
Retired AP reporter Harry Atkins recounts his coverage of the 1975 wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a tragic shipwreck on Lake Superior that became legendary, partly due to Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad, and reflects on the disaster's lasting impact and his personal experience reporting it.
A tragic ferry fire off Indonesia's coast was live-streamed by a survivor holding a baby, capturing the chaos and rescue efforts; over 280 people have been rescued, with 5 confirmed dead, and the cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue.
Crews are working tirelessly to clear the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Port of Baltimore, a task made even more challenging by the sheer size of the pieces involved. The operation involves divers surveying the wreckage, cutting the trusses into manageable sizes, and using one of the largest floating cranes on the East Coast to hoist the massive chunks out of the water. The cleanup is a round-the-clock operation, with the goal of reopening the port by the end of May, and local companies are helping recycle the debris. The FBI has opened a criminal probe into the disaster, and there is immense pressure to get the waterway open due to its impact on the economy.
The FBI has raided the container ship Dali, which caused the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, as part of a criminal investigation into the deadly incident. The investigation is running parallel to the National Transportation Safety Board's inquiry and is likely focused on determining if any federal laws were violated leading up to the disaster. The FBI's involvement suggests suspicion of criminal activity, potentially involving the ship's crew, companies, or other parties. Maryland officials have pledged to hold accountable anyone found responsible, and legal actions are being pursued against the ship's operators. The NTSB's preliminary report is expected in May, with the final report possibly taking up to two years.
A makeshift ferry sank off Mozambique’s northern coast, leaving at least 94 people dead, including many children, with 26 still missing. The overloaded fishing boat, not licensed to transport people, was carrying passengers fleeing a cholera outbreak and heading to a fair. Misinformation about the outbreak caused panic and overcrowding on the boat, leading to the tragic incident.
Former Conception dive boat captain Jerry Boylan has been found guilty of gross negligence in the deaths of 34 people in a boat fire off Santa Cruz Island in 2019. The jury determined that Boylan failed to appoint a night watch or train his crew in fire safety, leading to chaos when the fire broke out. Boylan woke up, called for help, and jumped overboard, leaving the passengers trapped in the bunk room. The families of the victims expressed relief at the verdict but felt that the potential 10-year sentence was lenient. The tragedy has prompted tighter regulations for overnight watches on boats.
Captain Jerry Boylan has been found guilty of "seaman's manslaughter" in connection with the deadly 2019 fire aboard the dive boat Conception off Santa Cruz Island, California, which claimed the lives of 34 people. Boylan was the only person to face criminal charges related to the incident, and he could face up to 10 years in prison. The verdict brings some relief to the victims' families, who have been seeking accountability for their loss. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, but prosecutors argued that Boylan's failure to post a required night watch and inadequate crew training contributed to the tragedy. Civil lawsuits and ongoing legal proceedings against the boat owner and the Coast Guard are still pending.
Captain Jerry Boylan has been found guilty of "seaman's manslaughter" in connection with the 2019 boat fire off the coast of Southern California that killed 34 people, making it the deadliest maritime disaster in recent US history. Boylan was the only person to face criminal charges related to the incident. The jury found him guilty of one count of misconduct or neglect of a ship officer. The fire, which started in a plastic trash can, quickly spread, trapping passengers and crew members below deck. Boylan could face up to 10 years in prison. The verdict comes after changes to maritime regulations, congressional reform, and ongoing civil lawsuits.
The wreck of the SS Montevideo Maru, a Japanese merchant ship sunk in World War Two with 864 Australian soldiers on board, has been found in the South China Sea, ending a tragic chapter of Australia's history. The ship was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine, unaware of the POWs onboard, and is considered Australia's worst maritime disaster. The long-awaited find comes ahead of April 25 commemorations for Anzac Day, a major day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand for their troops killed in all military conflicts.
A ferry caught fire off the coast of Basilan in the southern Philippines, killing at least 31 of the approximately 250 passengers and crew. Many of the more than 200 survivors were rescued from the dark sea by the coast guard, navy, a nearby ferry, and local fishermen. The ferry was traveling to Jolo town in Sulu province from the southern port city of Zamboanga when it caught fire. Rescuers are still searching for at least seven missing people. Officials are investigating whether the ferry was seaworthy, if there were passengers not listed on the manifest, and whether the crew properly guided passengers to safety.
A ferry carrying about 250 passengers and crew caught fire in the southern Philippines, leaving 31 people dead and at least 7 missing. Many were rescued by the coast guard, navy, another ferry, and local fishermen. The burned ferry was towed to Basilan's shoreline, where 18 more bodies were discovered. Sea accidents are common in the Philippines due to storms, badly maintained boats, overcrowding, and spotty enforcement of safety regulations.