SAN FRANCISCO – Following a pair of high-profile accidents
in San Francisco Bay recently, the Coast Guard has announced new rules that
restrict cargo ships, oil tankers and other large vessels from traveling near
to the Bay Bridge when in heavy fog.
In January, the Overseas Reymar struck
the bridge while visibility was half a mile. The allision caused roughly $3
million in damage to the bridge. Five years ago, the Cosco Busan, a 900’ cargo
ship, hit the bridge and spilled 53,000 gallons of fuel into the Bay and
causing major environmental damage.
The Coast Guard and shipping officials locally hope to avoid
a repeat of these crashes by restricting large ships from sailing northbound
under the bridge when visibility is less than half a mile. The rules take
effect immediately and will be enforced by the Coast Guard.
Ships entering the Bay will not be affected.