Today's award goes to the pilot and/or captain and/or helmsman of the Olga M, a small freighter that recently found herself in the Euripus Strait between the Greek islands of Boeotia and Euboea in the Aegean Sea. There's a historic bridge across the strait in the town of Chalcis, of which Wikipedia says:
The "Old" or "Low" or "Sliding" Bridge lies across midtown, and can slide away to allow shipping traffic. It is located at the narrowest point of the strait, where it is only 38 m (125 ft) wide. It accommodates two lanes of vehicular traffic. It was originally built as a retractable bridge in 1858, replaced by a rotating one in 1896. The existing, originally wooden bridge was built in 1962 and was extensively refurbished in 1998.
The hazards of that narrow passage were shown to full effect when the Olga M tried (and failed) to pass through it. The strong tidal current through the gap may have played a role, but even so, the ship is clearly way off course as it lines up to pass through . . . with inevitable results.
It's a good thing the Olga M is a small ship of only about a thousand tons. If it had been larger, the damage might have been much worse. Even so, it looks like the bridge (or at least its abutment) may need refurbishing again . . . not to mention the ship!
(A tip o' the hat to gCaptain, where I found the video.)
Peter
0 Comments