Captain Lou Hits Bridge

[george]

This from an eye witness:

I was right there, water was way to high it was even with the platforms under the bridge. The part circled is what hit then he grinded the rest of the way thru and that whole piece fell off the boat into the water under the bridge. Looked like no one was hurt. Looked like he hit and then it shifted him to the right a bit and the lower edge of the arch under the bridge which is what caused him to grind thru. Def should of just waited for the bridge to open. It was clear as day the water was to high. Also im pretty sure there is no height gauge on the bridge which i find strange considering its on every other bridge. Thats the story.

 

[OVERBORED]

Thats lousy judgement and just plain stupid on the part of the captain!

Im sure Mr. Dannon will have a few words with said captain!

 

[Bucktail II]

Yes....I'm sure Mike will have a long talk with the captain.
The mast, radar's, all antennas were either lost over the side or damaged. The life rafts on the roof all were pushed toward the stern up on the roof. A few of the halogen lights on the starboard top were also surgically removed.
The mast floated for several minutes before it sank.....he had turned around i guess to try and retrieve it if possible.....it sank to the bottom on the Northeast side of the bridge opening.
I was surprised no one ever came out to look at the bridge. The red and green lights that hang down under the opening were knocked off and also sunk to the bottom.

Yes....I was within 100 yards of the bridge when this all happened.

 

[OVERBORED]

The fact that a LICENSED captain did this is inexcusable!

Should check his cell phone to see if he was texting or doing something else because he certainly was distracted!

 

[MOJOE]

The fact that a LICENSED captain did this is inexcusable!

Should check his cell phone to see if he was texting or doing something else because he certainly was distracted!

OVERBORED who knows did he get tested??,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ><)))):>
><)))):>

 

[Bucktail II]

I honestly think he just misjudged the available height. He knew it was going to be close.....they did put the mast down (it's hinged) prior to trying to go under the bridge.

 

[magictoo]

I honestly think he just misjudged the available height. He knew it was going to be close.....they did put the mast down (it's hinged) prior to trying to go under the bridge.

I think everyone is missing the obvious we have ONE bridge operator controlling the loop, the meadowbrook and the Wantagh bridge. maybe the captain was forced to wait out an opening and thought he could squeeze under it. not a valid excuse and definitely a big mistake but honestly a commercial vessel should be able to get an opening when needed. one operator for multiple bridges is a disgrace. anyone that has a boat with a flybridge that comes out of Seaford or massapequa needs two openings to get to jones inlet. Long Island is the only place that doesn't have an operator for each bridge. run your boat into any NJ inlet and get an opening on demand. here we wait for the operator to get in a truck and drive from bridge to bridge. again....disgraceful

 

[Pangaroo]

You think they'd inch towards that bridge having a guy up on top looking to see if they'd clear? Anything close I wouldn't go under.I remember the Old Capt. Lou 65 footer going under the Swift Creek Bridge, they lowered the antenna and had a guy on top carefully checking if they had enough to pass under. I think that 65 footer had a blue hull , a real nice wooden hulled party boat. Not the first boat he bought from Lou Deblassi.Capt. Mike was the Captain and there was always the watermelon.

 

[OVERBORED]

OVERBORED who knows did he get tested??,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ><)))):>
><)))):>

Great point but I hope not. Hopefully just poor judgement.