Bright Field Crash Evidence, Questions, & Comments

EVIDENCE

Riverboat Simulator

Ship Scale Model Sources

28 May - BC Sales produces a nice large model of the Creole Queen (excursion paddlewheeler in a near miss as the accident began). Please tell them you read about them here !!!

Accident Site Photographs

David Harvey Commercial Photography
431 Gravier Street
New Orleans LA 70130-2418

(504) 588-1366 phone
(504) 529-1786 fax

He has a large number of photos of the crash and area
Please tell him you saw his listing here !!!

Model Trial

American Jurisprudence Trials. Volume 17. Model Trials. "Preparing a Ship Collision Case for Trial". John F. Meadows. 1970.

Store Security Cameras

Seismic Record

GPS Data

I am assuming that those using the GPS tapes have thought about turning the position data into velocity data (by differentiating it) and then turning the velocity data into acceleration data (by differentiating it). The acceleration data (actually deceleration in this case) could be used in modeling the disaster. The velocity data provides the momentum at impact with the pier (Mass times velocity) and the deceleration data can be used to match ship drag and other variables in the attempts to stop. Using the GPS data should allow the estimation of parameters in ship maneuvering models to obtain a good model of the performance of the Bright Field during the crash. This model could then be played through alternate scenarios (begin braking earlier, steer earlier, if the engine had restarted, etc). A good PC or workstation should then be able to display the alternative outcomes on screen in real time. This would be very "eye catching" to a jury.

If you are not aware of it, numerical differentiation of data of this nature is tricky. I have dozens of technical papers on the subject. I utilize an algorithm I adopted from another related field to successfully differentiate this data and even have a spreadsheet macro that does it automatically. I have performed this procedure hundreds of times if anybody is interested in giving it a try.

Chart of Events and Decisions

The Exxon Valdez paper referenced on our Background Materials Page developed a charting method to show the interactions between events and decisions and how they impacted the outcome. This process could be applied here to produce graphics that would help in the understanding of the inter-relationship of the various issues in the crash.

Archive the Websites

If I was involved across the table from a major player like COSCO or some of the others - I would be making a copy of their website now and archive it. . Some of these guys are making a lot of information public that might be useful to you. They may figure it out and "pull the plug".

Sister Ship Data Collection

COSCO has a whole fleet of Bright Field look-a-likes. They actually post data on them on their website. I would pick out the sister ship names for several purposes. If you tried to model the Bright Field's performance you have an actual ship to test the model against extensively, you could request maintenance records on items of concern, see the lube pump system on the sister ships, request accident history on the other ships, etc.

Collection of Information About Companies Involved

We have a sister web site that does a great job of helping you gather information about specific companies you are researching. It is titled Industry Research Desk. It's How to Learn About an Industry or a Specific Company tool can help you make quite a complete picture of your target.

QUESTIONS

We are going to log questions here that we think might shed some light on the investigation.

• Does a training simulator exist for training pilots and captains on vessels such as the Bright Field? Several simulators exist for training tanker pilots. If one does not exist for bulk carriers a tanker simulator might be converted? The simulator might be used to simulate the crash and various alternative procedures to avoid the crash.

• One of our website visitors who pilots in the Panama Canal mentioned he had observed many Chinese crews not getting along with each other and not following orders from other Chinese officers that might not be from their particular part of China. I think this question should be pursued a little. As our reader suggested, it might help explain the delay in dropping the anchor.

COMMENTS

Background and Reference Materials Page

Be sure and thoroughly look at the Background and Reference Materials Page. It contains many potential references that might lead you to other ideas.

1984 World's Fair

We understand the 1984 World's Fair International Pavilion was on the Poydras Wharf and some of the building actually remains on the mall and in the food court. Some photos of construction and use in that activity might be available in some of the World's Fair books or in Newspaper coverage of that era.

Also, a prior Port Director, Edward Reed, was involved in trying to prevent the floating of barges in this area for viewing the fair. Eventually they were not allowed due to safety concerns with the river traffic. There might be some interesting information and statements in the coverage of that dispute.

Maritime Law Journals

Some maritime law journals that might provide some relevant information are:

• Tulane Maritime Law Journal prior to 1986 it was the Maritime Lawyer

• Maritime Law Reporter

• Journal of Maritime Laws and Commerce

Claitors Law Books & Publishing

A Louisiana Legal Bookstore has a website providing extensive coverage of Louisiana legal books and also provides a number of out of print government publications is Claitors Law Books & Publishing.

The U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard has published numerous ship crash investigations. We have located several of them and also some Canadian Investigations. Some of the investigations bearing the greatest similarities to the Bright Field crash and other related Coast Guard Publications are referenced on our Background Coast Guard Publications Page.

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