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A tourist from Brazil motions to her husband to move a little to the right so she could get a little better view of the Riverwalk in the picture. This couple and thousands of other tourists have been walking on the Riverfront to point and talk about the city's newest tourist attraction - the wreck of the Bright Field.
Many tote cameras and are determined to get the best photo possible to take home to family and friends, others ride a ferry or riverboat to view the scene without having to contend with the crowd near Spanish Plaza. A new security fence, frequent patrols by police, and tarpaulins that shield the wrecked freighter from view have done little to deter the tourists.
Some are discouraged by the plastic tarpaulin hanging from the stairway leading to the Flamingo that only allowed a view of the front of the ship. Many paid the $5 to board the Flamingo, not to gamble, but to view the Bright Field from the second deck.
The flow of tourist has dropped slightly in the past week, per Sam Somona, assistant VP of Kerr Norton, the marine agent representing the Bright Field. 'It was a zoo out there for several days," Somona said. The security fence, along with Coast Guard and Harbor Police have helped reduce the crowds per Somona. Paul Buckley, general manager of the New Orleans HIlton, said the hotel put up the fence and the tarpaulin to protect its patrons. The tarpaulin will be removed after part of the Bright Field's cargo of corn is unloaded, Buckley said.
One man, visiting with his under 21 year old daughters was disappointed he couldn't get a better view. The under aged girls could not be allowed on the Flamingo.
Several rode the Ferry to try to get a better view. When the Ferry headed for the west bank and the freighter comes into view camera bulbs begin to flash and couples try to pose with the crushed buildings as a backdrop.
It was mentioned that no one was killed, partially due to the freighter not hitting the hotel at night when everyone was there and asleep, as well as on that afternoon, many were at the Superdome watching a Louisiana High School Football Championship Game.
The article had three photos. One of a view from the ferry, one shot of the tarp, and a shot of the Creole Queen paddle boat giving its riders a view of the crash site.
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