Incorrect Crane Height Estimate Causes $2 Million in Damages to Bridge

the captain of the Robert Cenac estimated the crane boom height in darkness, leading to an incorrect air draft calculation. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the incident was the captain’s incorrect estimate and decision to depart without receiving confirmed height details. The crane barge owner’s failure to provide accurate air draft information also contributed to the accident.

Seems like every time we approached a bridge with close clearance the pilot would have a story about a bridge being struck.

2 posts were split to a new topic: The 1983 Sentosa cable car tragedy

Plenty of room, not even low tide.

In my experience a minimum of a one meter margin for passing under a 41 meter (135 ft.) bridge is typical. That’s for a ship where the highest point only changes with draft whereas the air draft of a barge can vary with the cargo.