Baltimore bridge collapse

luvcatchingbass

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What do politicians have to do with where and what time these guys worked? Probably nothing. Those workers probably sought employment, got hired and were doing the job they were hired for. Do we know the job they were performing was even risky in the first place? When I was a surveyor there were times we had to work at 5am in Fargo because that was the best time to collect certain information for designing street repairs, mapping manholes and catch basins then having to measure how deep each pipe was below street level, this was busy main streets where you couldn't just block off traffic. Cripps sake its not like huge boats run into huge bridges on a regular basis.
 


3Roosters

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Sounds like there were/are haz mat containers on the vessel as well so that may complicate/extend cleanup.
 


ORCUS DEMENS

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Lets be realistic, even with engines running full astern you are not stopping/changing direction on a vessel that large. Simple physics. Ever try stopping on a wet road at speed? Now imagine there is no road to provide friction.
Bridge was built to standards in 1970. Probably designed a decade before before it was built. Ships were not as big then. New bridge construction takes ship size/collisions into consideration. Particularly in providing pier protection.
Sad day for all. If you work in transportation projects, safety is always number one.
 

Wally World

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the owner of the ship is responsible for the damages and their bonding or insurance company will have to pay.

FOREIGN-FLAGGED VESSELS ENTERING US PORTS FACE MANY REQUIREMENTS​

Perhaps the most important and anticipated part of a ship's voyage is arriving at port. While it's an exciting time for vessel owners, there are a number of complexities involved in the process.
As difficult as it can be for a US-flagged vessel to remain compliant with all current federal requirements, things are far more challenging for a foreign-flagged vessel.
Once every few months we work with vessel operators who are calling US ports for the first time. In addition to general duties, there are several long lead-time federal requirements foreign vessel operators must meet prior to trading in US waters. Below we've put together a list of four requirements to help vessel owners be compliant with US maritime laws and regulations:

1. CERTIFICATE OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (COFR)​

All vessels over 300 gross tons are required to apply for a certificate of financial responsibility (COFR) with the US Coast Guard National Pollution Funds Center. The COFR process was implemented as a result of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90) and evidences that there is a responsible party on file who can be held financially liable in the event of an oil spill.
This process is normally handled by the vessel owner in conjunction with their P&I club, surety, or OPA 90 Compliance firm.
Application process is online and approximately 21 days. There is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $200 and an additional fee of $100/vessel. To verify if your vessel has a current COFR on file—you can search the USCG COFR database.

2. NON-TANK VESSEL RESPONSE PLANS (NTVRP) AND SOPEP AUTHORIZATION​

The US Government has mandated that non-tank vessel owners or operators are to prepare and submit oil or hazardous substance discharge response plans for certain vessels operating on the navigable waters of the United States. This rule applies to owners or operators of a self-propelled, non-tank vessel of 400 gross tons or greater, which operates on the navigable waters of the United States.
Generally, the VRP is developed in conjunction with the vessel owners contracted OPA 90 compliance firm and Oil Spill Recovery (OSRO) contractor. Vessel Response Plans take normally 2-3 weeks to be reviewed and authorized and approval status can be queried on the USCG VRP Status Board.



3. NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) —VESSEL GENERAL PERMIT (VGP)​

The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes authority for the NPDES permitting program to regulate discharges incidental to the normal operation of a commercial vessels. This includes a broad range of discharges such as ballast water, bilge water, grey-water (e.g., water from sinks, showers), and deck wash-down and runoff. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) controls these incidental discharges primarily through the Vessel General Permit (VGP).
Vessels over 79ft length overall (LOA) who plan operate/call US waters (0-3 miles) are required to comply with the VGP and submit an electronic notice of intent (NOI). The purpose of the NOI is for the vessel owner/operator to certify a vessel has implemented sufficient policies to ensure compliance with the VGP inspection, monitoring and documentation requirements. Vessels that have not previously submitted an NOI needs to submit a NOI at least 30 days prior to operating in US waters.
Once the NOI is submitted, you'll receive a confirmation documentation includes a certificate of coverage and official copy of the completed NOI form, both auto-generated by the EPA. Copies of these two documents must be maintained on board the vessel and made available upon request to USCG during Port State Control Inspections.
The VGP requires that owners/operators provide annual reports in the EPAs eNOI system. A link to the eNOI portal can be found here.

4. STATE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS​

In addition to federal conditions, there are state specific requirements that must be obtained before vessels enter into state waters. For example, Alaska, Washington, California and Oregon all have state specific Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) coverage. Meanwhile, both Texas and Louisiana require all vessels to register and file their Ship Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) with the state. Whether you're calling port in the US for the first time or the 100th, following these regulations is a crucial part to the success of your ship's voyage. With lead-times spanning up to 30 days, proper planning and execution is vital when entering US waters. Gulf Marine Contractors (GMC) has an industry experienced support team available to help your vessel secure the right documents in a time efficient manner. Please contact us if you'd like more information on working in US Waters or on the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Biden came out and said that WE are paying for everything on this collision!
 

Kurtr

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Feel bad for the guys working. With out the h2b visa program nothing would get done. Americans in general are lazy. Construction would be at a stand still with out them that I know for a fact. Finding people to work is impossible
 

bucksnbears

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He'll, I'm not sure the how/ why's this happened. Shit just does.

Am glad no one has engaged in our sites liberal troll responses though....rockon...
 


svnmag

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I just hope the NTSB has enough diversity to tackle the issue on all fronts.
 

Fester

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Feel bad for the guys working. With out the h2b visa program nothing would get done. Americans in general are lazy. Construction would be at a stand still with out them that I know for a fact. Finding people to work is impossible
Finding people to work cheaply is impossible..or just in general?
 

NDSportsman

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Finding people to work cheaply is impossible..or just in general?
Finding people to work at all is very difficult. Our company has been looking for all kinds of jobs for the last 2-3 years and we offer good wages and benefits. Most people applying don't even return phone calls or show up for interviews. It's like they are only applying to prove they are attempting to find a job.
 

Kurtr

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Finding people to work at all is very difficult. Our company has been looking for all kinds of jobs for the last 2-3 years and we offer good wages and benefits. Most people applying don't even return phone calls or show up for interviews. It's like they are only applying to prove they are attempting to find a job.
Or if they are hired show up late can’t do anything they said they can. Thing is people think the h2b visa program is cheap labor it’s not you have to pay them a minimum which if I remember right for a common labor is 23 ish an hour then provide housing along with other benefits. The competition just to get those guys to work they won’t accept jobs that are at the bottom of the pay scale unless it is their first year here. If a kid had any ambition and learned how to pour residential concrete they could be a millionaire in short order working 7 months out of the year around here.
 


NDSportsman

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Last guy we hired was here for 6 weeks and never put a full week in during that time. Was either late or didn't show up at all. Every excuse in the book and then he actually quit before I could fire him because we're desperate for help. It's just a different mentality now days with society.
 

PrairieGhost

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If a kid had any ambition and learned how to pour residential concrete they could be a millionaire in short order working 7 months out of the year around here.
Yor making me wish I was 25 years old again Kurt. Summers during college years I laid down tens and tens of thousands of square feet of concrete. It wasn't uncommon to wait around until after midnight to finish big 48x120 ft slabs.
 

Davey Crockett

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The work force was a big factor why I made my decision to retire. Seems like the good workers go into business themselves or get a short term high paying job in the oilfield. That's the bad thing about the oilfield , they run hard for a while and then theres no work but the wages are still $ 30 an hour. It's tough to compete for good workers.
 

Skeeter

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Entry level diesel mechanic where I work is around $50/hr. You only have to work 14 out of 28 days, so you only work 1/2 a year. Plus unlimited overtime if you want it. They can’t get any mechanics to apply. Nobody wants to work shift work or weekends. I’m a welder but I pick up overtime turning wrenches on yellow iron and it’s insane how much extra money I pull in by working an extra 4 days a month. These younger kids don’t care about making money, they are more concerned about their social life.
 

luvcatchingbass

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Cripps I get minimum 80hrs every two weeks, average is probably 90hrs and busy season not uncommon to be 100-115hrs just depends. I have actually tried to cut back some so that I can spend time with my kids. I often think about trying to pick up some side money but think at what cost and what am I giving up now days. I make a comfortable amount to live on, can pay my bills and daily expenses throughout the month and most anything that pops up or the family needs. When I was younger and single or dating I pretty much worked 55-60hr weeks, worked on the road a lot at 5 days on 2 off, many 10days on 4 days off, a summer of 3 weeks on 1 week off. When school loans came due I paid them all off, eventually could by myself a 2yr old used 2004 dodge 3/4 for pulling and farm use, then got a 32' flatbed, restored some old tractors, at 25yr old bought a house. When I still worked out of town we had a heck of a time with interns because they were upset because they missed their friends or were missing a party, most of them were only 2-3yrs younger than me. Mommy and Daddy had coddled them too much in my opinion.
 


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