MV Bright Field

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 GT
23,035 NT
68,676 DWT
Length:734.9 ft (224.0 m)
Beam:105.6 ft (32.2 m)
Depth:59.7 ft (18.2 m)
Installed power:Diesel engine, 9,800 hp (7,300 kW)
Propulsion:Single shaft

MV Bright Field was a bulk cargo ship that collided 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 to be a main-engine automation system that 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 people were injured. Physical damage to the Bright Field was calculated at $1,857,952. Damage to the Riverwalk, including the pier, condominium properties, shops and hotel, totaled an estimated $15 million.

The spot where the Bright Field ran into the Riverwalk 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]

References

  1. ↑ "Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of propulsion on the bulk carrier Bright Field and allision with the Riverwalk Shopping Complex on December 14, 1996 in New Orleans, Louisiana, with multiple injuries and no loss of life." (PDF). United States Coast Guard. 1997-12-08. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  2. ↑ "National Transportation Safety Board Marine Accident Report - Allision of the Liberian Freighter Bright Field With the Poydras Street Wharf, Riverwalk Marketplace, and New Orleans Hilton Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 14, 1996." (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. 1998-01-13. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  3. ↑ "Bright Field / Riverwalk New Orleans Accident Site". Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  4. ↑ "COSCO H.K. Shipping Co., Ltd. Vessel Information Details". Retrieved 2007-04-02.

External links