MV Bright Field

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Career
Name: MV Bright Field
Operator: Cosco, Hong Kong
Port of Registry: Liberia
Builder: Sasebo Heavy Industries
Sasebo, Japan
Launched: September 1988
Homeport: Monrovia
General characteristics
Tonnage: 36,120, gross tons
23,035, net tons
68,676 deadweight tons
Length: 734.9 ft (224.0 m)
Beam: 105.6 ft (32.2 m)
Depth: 59.7 ft (18.2 m)
Propulsion: direct-drive diesel, single propeller, 9,800 horsepower (7,300 kW)

MV Bright Field was a bulk cargo ship which rammed with the Riverwalk Marketplace shopping complex in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the afternoon of Saturday, December 14, 1996, after losing engine power. The vessel was fully loaded with grain at the time of the incident. The United States Coast Guard investigated the incident and published its findings on December 8, 1997, citing the cause of the engine failure as a poorly-maintained oil filter.[1] A secondary but contributory cause was determined as a main-engine automation system which produced warnings and alarms that were not consistently relayed to the ship's Master. The National Transportation Safety Board published its final report on January 13, 1998, which concurred with the Coast Guard's determinations and appear to charge the ship's operating company with the responsibility for the casualty.[2]

The incident resulted in no deaths, but 66 persons were injured. Physical damage to the Bright Field was calculated at $1,857,952. Damage to the Riverwalk Shopping Complex, including the pier, condominium properties, shops and hotel totaled an estimated $15 million.

The spot where the Bright Field collided with the River Walk is marked on site with a plaque.

The Bright Field was repaired immediately following the incident, and in 2000 was reportedly seen again in the New Orleans harbor bearing the name Bright Star.[3] As of 2007, the vessel is named Bright City, operates under the Liberian flag and carries a Chinese crew.[4]

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