Rabon said authorities were investigating a “catastrophic failure” of an aluminum dock gangway that sent at least 20 people plunging into the water.
“It is a structural failure,” Rabon said at a news conference Sunday. “There should be very, very little maintenance to an aluminum gangway like that, but we’ll see what the investigation unfolds.”
A team of engineers and construction specialists planned to be on site early Sunday to begin investigating why the walkway – installed in 2021 – failed, Jones said.
I wonder....
Joe Biden said federal officials were ready to provide any assistance needed. “What should have been a joyous celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture and history instead turned into tragedy and devastation,” the president said in a statement. “Jill and I mourn those who lost their lives, and we pray for the injured and anyone still missing. We are also grateful to the first responders at the scene.”
Anyone wondering what 'Gullah-Geechee culture' means (who hasn't watched Kardea Brown's cookery show on the Food Channel), wonder no more:
Small communities descended from enslaved island populations in the south – known as Gullah, or Geechee in Georgia – are scattered along the coast from North Carolina to Florida. Scholars say their separation from the mainland caused residents to retain much of their African heritage, from their unique dialect to skills and crafts such as cast-net fishing and weaving baskets.
Maybe their African heritage and skills at building bridges should have been sought?
4 comments:
"There should be very, very little maintenance to an aluminum gangway like that"
Pure aluminium in a salt laden environment most certainly does need regular inspection and maintenance. If it's a suitable alloy this does alter things somewhat. What type of fixings were used - dissimilar metals in contact will corrode quickly in that sort of environment, and was it designed to carry 40 people at once?
As a guess - It was designed as a walkway 10 to 12 passengers on it at any one time. It is used as a viewing platform with more than 20 people on it.
Reading about the island, it sounds like inbred heaven. The State installed this bridge (and paid out a shed load in settlement), and probably assumed the locals would maintain it. Silly State.
No doubt the State will build another one, which the locals won't maintain, and make another financial settlement, and so it will go on.
Penseivat
"Pure aluminium in a salt laden environment most certainly does need regular inspection and maintenance."
Well, indeed!
"As a guess - It was designed as a walkway 10 to 12 passengers on it at any one time. It is used as a viewing platform with more than 20 people on it."
And those people tending to be on the heavier side, from what I've seen on the Food Channel!
"Reading about the island, it sounds like inbred heaven. "
I believe you're right!
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