The transcript describes a tragic event that occurred in 1980 when the Summit Venture, a Liberian-licensed ship, collided with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge near Tampa Bay, Florida. The ship, carrying a load of phosphate for Mitsubishi International, was navigating through the channel near the bridge when it lost visual and radar contact with navigation aids due to a sudden burst of rain and wind, causing it to lose its way. Despite the ship's attempts to reverse and stop, it rammed into Pier 2S of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, causing the West cantilever span to collapse and fall into the water.
The collapse resulted in the death of 35 people, all of whom were in vehicles that plummeted due to the collapse. The only survivor was Wesley McIntyre, a motorist who was rescued by the Summit Venture's crew after swimming to the surface and being pulled up by a rescue ladder.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the pilot, John Laurel, was at fault for the accident. The NTSB stated that Laurel's decision to navigate the Summit Venture through the channel and under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge after losing visual and radar navigational references was not a reasonable and prudent decision. The NTSB also criticized the National Weather Service for the lack of warning about the southern storm surge that crossed the Summit Venture's path.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge was later replaced by a new concrete box girder cable-stayed bridge, which was designed to allow larger clearances for the Ship Channel and was completely surrounded by protective piers known as dolphins. The old bridge was meticulously demolished, with only roughly two miles of bridge over the bay removed. The remaining approaches were repurposed into the popular Skyway Fishing Piers.
1. The incident occurred in the United States, specifically in Florida, near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
2. The vessel involved was the "Some Adventure", a 606-foot bolt carrier.
3. The vessel was carrying a crew of primarily Chinese and Taiwanese descent.
4. The incident happened on May 9, 1980.
5. The "Some Adventure" was heading towards Tampa Bay when it collided with the Skyway Bridge.
6. The collision resulted in the destruction of Pier 2s of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
7. The collision also led to the loss of 35 lives, all of whom were in vehicles.
8. The only survivor was Wesley McIntyre, who was rescued by the crew of the "Some Adventure".
9. After the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Coast Guard conducted investigations.
10. The NTSB and the Coast Guard found that the pilot, John Laurel, was at fault for the collision.
11. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge was a massive undertaking, costing 22 million US Dollars.
12. The bridge was originally built to span the bay and Main Ship Channel.
13. The bridge was designed with a double leaf vascule or drawbridge style span to allow smaller vessels.
14. The bridge was eventually demolished and replaced by a new concrete box girder cable State Bridge.
15. The new bridge was designed to allow larger clearances for the Ship Channel.
16. The new bridge is completely surrounded by protective Piers known as dolphins.
17. After the incident, the "Some Adventure" continued carrying cargo under a Liberian license until 1993.
18. The vessel was purchased by several different companies and renamed multiple times before it was lost in 2010.
19.