Jan 11, 2008 12:57 am US/Pacific
Barge Strikes Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
SAN RAFAEL (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
Morning fog delayed the U.S. Coast Guard's probe Friday into what caused a barge to strike the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge at about 6 p.m. Thursday.
The barge Cascade, being guided by tugboats Delta Deanna and Pacific Wolf, was headed outbound from Rodeo when it hit the east piling of the west span of the bridge while carrying 65,195 barrels of heavy black oil, according Coast Guard officials.
After measuring the amount of oil on the barge after the incident, officials determined no oil spilled into the bay.
An investigation into the incident was scheduled to begin at daybreak but weather caused a temporary setback, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Jonathan Cilley.
The California Department of Transportation arrived at about 7 p.m. Thursday to assess the damage to the bridge, Cilley said. The extent of the damage is unknown, although there was extensive damage to the barge, said Cilley.
The Coast Guard determined visibility of just 1-2 miles due to fog and a low ceiling, said Cilley. According to Coast Guard Lt. Anya Hunter, weather will be examined as part of the investigation.
Alcohol tests were administered to the crewmembers and none had been drinking prior to the incident, said Hunter. Drug tests were also administered but the results are pending.
The Coast Guard, Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Fish and Game, a Marin County Hazardous Materials
team and the San Rafael Police Department are assisting in the investigation.
There were no reports of any injuries occurring from the collision.
Thursday's incident came about two months after the container ship Cosco Busan struck a San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge tower, tearing a gash in its hull that spilled 58,000 gallons of fuel into the water.
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