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Bright Field
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NEWS REPORTS
- AP 14 December 1996 - Background Information on COSCO
A nice bit of background info on the worlds 4th largest shipping company. 
Times-Picayune 15 December 1996 RAMMED - Runaway freighter smashes Riverwalk scores injured, several believed missing- Times-Picayune 15 December 1996 Workers, Shoppers Run for Safety in Chaos
- AP 16 December 1996 Freighter Was Recently Fixed
Friday night preceding the Saturday afternoon crash an engine heat exchanger was removed upstream, brought to New Orleans for cleaning, and reinstalled on the bright Field. - AP 16 December 1996 - Concern for Casino Boat Safety
Politicians are speaking out concerned about the near impact of the Bright Fields and a crowded casino boat. It may happen again, plus hazardous chemicals could be involved. - Reuters 17 December 1996 Impact on Grain Deliveries to Asia
Many of the shipments through here at this time of year are grain bound for Asia. Delays of more than a few days can cause significant problems and cost fluctuations on their end. Shipments through the area now are expected in Asia in mid January. - Journal of Commerce 17 December 1996 Prior to Accident, Coast Guard Found Wayward Ship to be in Good Condition
A July 11, 1996 annual Coast Guard annual inspection resulted in a clean bill of health as did a review by the union representing the crew. - AP 17 December 1996 Freighter's Safety System Blamed
The automatic shutdown system, its manual override and the crews understanding of it are discussed. Individuals are concerned that a safety device may have actually caused the accident. Also public debate is rekindled on the safety of developments such as this hotel and mall on the river. - AP 18 December 1996 - Chinese Captain Testifies Day 2
Jing Quan Deng tells his version of the anchor problem, crash, and language problem. - Lloyds of London 19 December 1996 - Ship Owner Braces for Wreck Claims
Cosco prepares for claims from over 100 injured, 15 shops, 456 hotel rooms demolished, and damages to the ship itself. - Reuters 16, 18, 19 December 1996 - Restricting and Re-Opening of the River after Bright Field
Three Reuters releases describe raising the draft of vessels being allowed to pass from 20 to 25 to 30 to 42 to 46 feet. Traffic is still only on-way at this time. They go each direction for a while. - USA Today - AP 20 December 1996 Engine Records Missing for Crashed Freighter
Engine Log page covering the 2 days before the accident is found missing. Move to maritime law to limit damages to value of ship and cargo (about $16 million) if ship found to be seaworthy and crew is void of negligence. Marine firm caught removing lube pump (possible cause of accident). - AP 20(?) December 1996 Riverwalk Businesses Relocate After Freighter Crash
Several businesses hurry to relocate during Christmas time and a locally busy time (Sugar Bowl and Super Bowl). Sharper Image is visited with in depth. - PR Newswire 21 December 1996 GE (General Electric) Press Release
Three of the tugs stabilizing the vessel and preventing additional collapse of the shopping area were powered by GE diesel electric engines. - National Underwriter Property & Casualty 21 December 1996 Damage, Cover Assessed for New Orleans Riverwalk Crash
Early Assessments of Insurance and damage situations in the crash. - Times-Picayune 21 December 1996 Engineer didn't hit override
Details of Friday's hearing discussion of the override button, recent engine repairs (cylinders and pistons), and the missing page in the engine logbook. Plus 3 additional insert stories:- Corn to be unloaded from damaged ship
Expect to begin unloading corn Sunday. Divers evaluating damages, one was trapped in rubble for 15 minutes, the river level is falling and the bow is now aground. - Ship siren drills banned at dockside, port president says
Cruise ships are asked to not familiarize passengers with fire and distress alarms until they are underway. Also life boat saving drills are to be conducted after they have passed the Esplanade Avenue Wharf vs. at the terminal. Riverwalk employees reported they did not initially react to the sirens of the Bright Field because they are used to hearing the Cruise ship drills on Friday and Saturdays. - Little boats have mighty burden
Very interesting article on the general use of tugboats and the specific boats that responded to the disaster. One company, Crescent Towing, had several tugs in the area returning from other jobs and they rushed immediately to aid the Bright Field and hold her against the wreckage. Article also talks of the two "traffic lights" on the river and Mike Doyle who was working 'Governor Nick" saturday of the crash is interviewed.
- Corn to be unloaded from damaged ship
- Times-Picayune 22 December 1996 Foreign Controversy - "Flag-of-Convenience Ships
Data and discussion of safety of foreign flagged ships. - Times-Picayune 22 December 1996 Built In Harm's Way
Discussion of history and problems of building 'out over" the river. Includes an excellent graphic of crash site with respect to the shore. - Times-Picayune 22 December 1996 Treacherous river a test of pilot's wisdom
Newspaper reporter rides down the river with a seasoned local pilot on a tanker. - Times-Picayune 22 December 1996 Freighter had two emergency options
Saturday's hearing learns of another option to restart the engine to full power called a "crash maneuver" button. It was also learned the engine's pistons or cylinders were repaired 9 times in the last four months due to a high exhaust temperature which had been fixed in LaPlace prior to starting down the river last week. - Times-Picayune 22 December 1996 Tourist survives freighter crash
Story about Rachel Gifford of Overland KS who was trapped in the Hilton Hotel about 30 minutes. It details her experiences. - Reuters 23 December 1996 Ship that hit New Orleans Pier may be moved Friday
They began off loading the 64,000 tons of corn at night to minimize dust from the transfer Sunday night 22 December. Still evaluating how much the mall wreckage is being supported by the ship under Poydras Street Wharf. Early estimates of $250 million in damages to businesses with another $250 million in losses. - Times-Picayune 23 December 1996 Unloading corn first step to moving Bright Field
Moving corn from front Number 1 cargo hold to a barge. Corn is replaced with water to prevent disturbing the supported wreckage. - Business Insurance 23 December 1996 Riverwalk businesses sue tanker owner; property damage, lost profits claimed in New Orleans
At least 3 lawsuits filed last week - Times-Picayune 24 December 1996 Most of Riverwalk likely to be reopened by Super Bowl
90 stores, half the stalls in the Levee Market and 30 pushcart vendors are expected to be back in action for the week of Jan. 20 (Super Bowl Week). With most of the damage in the middle of the mall, they are building a corridor to connect the two ends. Worked stopped after unloading only 400 tons of corn as wet corn was encountered. A sonar test to find connections with other debris, the eventual moving to Borland Marine on the West Bank for repairs, and an initial meeting of the lawyers from all parties are discussed. - Times-Picayune 27 December 1996 Ship's hold is 'Swiss' cheese
Wet corn cargo has turned into semi-solid, more holes found and a concrete beam found across the cargo hold must be moved for diving inspection to continue.Preparations to Move Bright Field
- Times-Picayune 28 December 1996 Stranded freighter's crew fighting boredom
28 member crew has been on ship since December 14 accident. Coast Guard discusses current plans for removing the ship. - Times-Picayune 31 December 1996 Workers give up on fixing ship's rip
Coast Guard decides repairs are too difficult at this site. Will remove more grain and float the ship with the 3 foot by 18 foot gash that is now 12 feet below the waterline, above the waterline and move the ship downriver with tugs to Violet for off-loading rest of corn and repairs. - Times-Picayune 2 Jan 1997 Workers to remove corn off Bright Field Friday
Workers are to begin removing the additional corn to float the boat above the now submerged gash. Coast Guard discusses plans to remove the ship.
- Times-Picayune 28 December 1996 Stranded freighter's crew fighting boredom
- Times-Picayune 30 December 1996 Riverwalk crash site beckons to the curious
Tourist are flogging to the crash site to try to see more from land, ferries, the Creole paddle wheel boat, and from the upper decks of the Flamingo casino boats. The Hilton Hotel has tarped off some of the view from land. - Reuters 6 January 1997 Ship that hit New Orleans Riverwalk to be moved
By 11am Monday the ship was afloat. It will be moved 19 miles downriver by 8 tugs. - AP 6 January 1997 Crews ready to move freighter across Mississippi River
Monday workers began pumping out the ballast tanks, closing the Riverwalk and establishing a "no fly zone" in the area of the Bright Field. 8 Coast Guard tugs are preparing to tow the vessel to a shipyard in Violet on the other side of the river. Estimated trip time is 90 minutes. - Times-Picayune 7 January 1997 Wreckage In Its Wake
- Freighter leaves, cleanup begins
Great in depth story of the Bright Field being pulled away from the pier on Jan 6th. - Near-miss preceded Bright Field crash, crew member says
The hearings bring out that the Bright Field has a near-miss with a tug boat less than an hour before the crash. The engine automatic shutdown / slowdown situation is also discussed.
- Freighter leaves, cleanup begins
- Times-Picayune 6 February 1997 N.O. Port Board will discuss safety concerns on the river
Tells of Feb 6 meeting to be held by Port Board on emergency response mechanisms in riverfront properties. - Times-Picayune 7 February 1997 Better Alarms on River Urged
Report on the Feb 6 Port Board meeting. Safety consultant John Granito makes several recommendations. - Times-Picayune 7 February 1997 Getting Ship in Shape
Major article on repairs being made on the Bright Field at Boland Marine in Violet, including cost estimate of $2 million. - Times-Picayune 20 February 1997 Fire adds to trouble facing Bright Field
A major fire in the rope room (bosun's locker) is believed to be an accident caused perhaps by work crews. Firemen report difficulties in working with the Chinese crew. - Wall Street Journal 26 March 1997 Feinstein's Husband is Linked to Cosco
Cosco wants to take over the closed Long Beach Naval Station military base in California and a senator investigating the situation is now found to have a spouse with connections to Cosco. This "flap" may divert some of their attention from the Bright Field litigation proceedings.
Times-Picayune 11 August 1998. Freighter's engineers could lose licenses - Report released on Bright Field
Liberian report on the accident is released. Article provides an excellent summary of all three investigations (Coast Guard, NTSB, Liberian).