BRUNSWICK, Ga. – On Tuesday afternoon, News4JAX flew a drone near a large cargo ship that glided under the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick.
It was a relief to see, especially considering the tragedy in Baltimore on Tuesday morning.
A video showed a cargo ship, the Dali, lose power before the ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge in Maryland, bringing it down.
Six people are now presumed dead.
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Marine Consultant Paul Foran is a first responder in these types of incidents.
“I’m sure everyone’s devastated. And as professionals, we do our very best to make sure things like this don’t happen,” Foran said.
Foran was called when the Golden Ray tipped over in Brunswick.
“Shipping is inherently dangerous,” he said. “It’s a challenge maneuvering a vessel like that under the best of circumstances.”
Synergy Marine Group, who manages the Dali, confirmed the ship hit the pillar while under the command of one or more pilots who are local specialists that help guide ships safely into ports.
News4JAX tried speaking with local Brunswick pilots about their feelings about what happened and what their role is in getting ships through the ports, but they didn’t want to comment.
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) said Brunswick port pilots safely navigated more than 600 vessels in fiscal year 2023 and used tugs when needed.
News4JAX asked Foran if tug boats would have made a difference in Baltimore.
“When you have assist tugs, that’s kind of like providing another engine and another rudder to help maneuver the ship safely to get out of harm’s way,” he said.
Foran said if there is a loss of power on the ship, not even 100 pilots could stop an incident like what happened in Baltimore.
A source told News4JAX that some customers have reached out to GPA regarding an interim solution for cargo. Most inquiries have been related to Roll-on/Roll-off cargo (cars, trucks, tractors, etc.), which would be served at the Port of Brunswick.
The Georgia Ports Authority issued a statement on the Baltimore bridge incident:
“The Georgia Ports Authority offers our thoughts, prayers and support to our Port of Baltimore colleagues and everyone involved in this tragic accident. Here in Savannah, the Talmadge Bridge spans the Savannah River and there are no bridge support columns within the Federal Channel. Savannah Port Pilots have an excellent safety record handling 45 ships a week and 2000 ships in fiscal year 2023. Because this is a river port, Savannah Port Pilots take special precautions bringing ships in and out of the port, including the use of 2-3 tugs. Equally important, whenever there is a first call for a new vessel into the port – the Pilots observe a “daylight only” transit for safety. In the Port of Brunswick, Brunswick Port Pilots safely navigated over 600 vessels in fiscal year 2023 and use tugs for assistance when needed. The Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick has stanchions in the water which have a two-acre rock area around them to protect them. In between the stanchions, is a 1000 foot long roadway span that is above the shipping channel. This shipping channel is 400′ wide for vessel transit. Any inquiries on the Talmadge Bridge, Sidney Lanier Bridge and vehicular roadway crossings in Georgia should be directed to the Georgia Dept. of Transportation.”