USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) is a sea buoy (WBB) with a depth of 1.5 meters (55 m) that sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew members died. Ship Iris -class, it was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota. Blackthorn ' the initial design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth. On May 21, 1943 the hull was installed, it was launched on July 20, 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. The original cost for the hull and engine was $ 876,403.
Blackthorn is one of the 39 original 55-foot buoy buoys built between 1942-1944. All but one of the original tender, USCGCÃ, Ironwood Ã, (WLB-297), was built in Duluth.
Blackthorn was originally assigned to Great Lakes for ice-breaking tasks, but after only a few months, he was transferred to San Pedro, California. He served in San Pedro for several years before being taken to the Gulf Coast area to serve in Mobile, Alabama then transferred to Galveston, Texas for the final years of his ministry until the accident.
In 1979-1980, Blackthorn underwent a major overhaul in Tampa, Florida. However, on January 28, 1980, when he left Tampa Bay after the completion of the repair, he collided with the SS Capricorn tanker. Shortly after the collision, Blackthorn reversed, killing 23 of his crew. Cutters were raised for investigation, but were eventually stopped in the Gulf of Mexico after the investigation was completed. She currently serves as an artificial reef for diving and recreational fishing.
Video USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391)
Accident
Just completed its inspection in the Gulf Tampa Drydock Company, which includes major generator power repairs, Blackthorn has been out of Tampa Bay on the night of January 28, 1980. Meanwhile, the Capricorn tanker, owned by Kingston Shipping Company and operated by Apex Marine Corporation of New York, is standing (traveling the right way) to the bay. Blackthorn ' s captain, Lieutenant Commander George Sepel has left the bridge to investigate the problem with the newly installed propulsion shaft. Ensign John Ryan has his connections.
Previously the cutter was taken over by Kazakhstan, a Russian passenger ship. When requested by Kazakhstan to pass, Blackthorn navigate right allows Kazakhstan to pass. The Blackthorn then navigates to almost the middle of the channel and continues only. (Some argue that a brightly lit passenger ship obscures the capabilities of Blackthorn's and Capricorn's crew to see each other.)
Capricorn starts turning left, but this course will not allow Capricorn and Blackthorn to pass port-to-port, as navigation rules are generally mandatory. Unable to make radio contact with the Blackthorn , Capricorn ' s pilot blew two short whistles to make the ships go right to right. With the Blackthorn officer of the deck (Ensign Ryan) confused with respect to standard operating procedures and navigation rules, the captain's Blackthorn ' is issued a command for dodge action. Despite the avoidance of Blackthorn , a collision occurred.
Damage to Blackthorn from initial impact is not broad. However, the capricorn anchor ' is ready to be released. The anchor is embedded in Blackthorn's hull and tears the port side above the waterline. Then when the two ships are backing away from each other, the chain becomes tight. The much larger vessel's power attracted him, causing Blackthorn to tip his side until he suddenly turned upside down. Six off-duty personnel who had gathered when they heard the collision alarm were trapped inside the ship. Some of the crew members who had just reported on board tried to escape and in the process were trapped in the engine room. Although 27 crew members survived the crash, 23 were killed.
The primary responsibility for the collision was placed on Blackthorn captain, Lieutenant Commander Sepel, as he had made an inexperienced junior officer (Ensign Ryan) deck officer and allowed him to navigate the ship through foreign waterways with heavy traffic.
The US Coast Guard commander, Admiral John B. Hayes, approved a marine investigation board report about a collision between Blackthorn and Capricorn. The Council determines that the cause of the collision is the failure of both vessels to remain on the side of the channel located on the right side of the ship (right) vessel. Along with the board's determination of the cause, the Commander insisted in his "Action" that the failure of the persons responsible for the two vessels to ensure the other party's intentions through the correct exchange of whistle signals was the main cause contributing. Additionally, Admiral Hayes pointed out that attempts to make a passing deal by simply using radio telephone communication failed to be an adequate substitute for a proper whistle signal exchange.
The marine council found evidence of violations of various navigation laws in the master and pilot section of Capricorn '. There are similar findings in the Blackthorn ' s commanding officer and deck officer. These things are referred to the Seventh and Coastal Seventh District Commanders for further investigation and appropriate action.
The commander also acted on the safety recommendations made by the council on training and equipment aboard the Coast Guard, and navigation considerations at Tampa Bay.
Maps USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391)
Seaman Seaman William "Billy" Flores
Seaman Apprentice William "Billy" Flores originally came from Carlsbad, New Mexico and attended West Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2000 he was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal, the highest service award for heroism in peacetime. SA Flores, who has been out of the training camp for just one year, opened a float locker like Blackthorn upside down, secured the open hold with his belt, and ensured that his traveling mates could access and use a life jacket. His actions saved a number of lives during an accident. Her heroic role was initially ignored by two official reports by Coast Guard and NTSB, but was later given a recognition that deserved her acceptance. Her family was presented with a Medal on January 28, 2000, the 20th anniversary of the tragedy. Seafarers Apprentice Flores died on the Blackthorn ship . In October 2010, it was announced that the third new quick response cutter Sentinel , a 154 foot patrol boat, would be named Flores.
Gallery
References
External links
- USCG web page Blackthorn history
- National Park Service Report about 180 feet (55 m) float bidding
- "US Coast Guard Seafarers & Coastal buoys, 1939-2000". Coast Guard Historian's Office .
- An article about the 20th anniversary of the sinking
- Coast Guard photos of Blackthorn
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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