CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The major incident that happened in Baltimore involving a cargo ship that lost power and caused a bridge collapse might have taken place hundreds of miles away from the Coastal Bend, but the Port of Corpus Christi is paying close attention to the investigation.
Port of C.C. officials say they analyze any waterway collision that takes place around the world, learning from those investigations and implementing any additional safety recommendations that might come out them.
With thousands of ships that travel through our local port, safety is always paramount.
"We do a lot here to try to mitigate the risks that are inherent to the industry," Port CEO Kent Britton said.
While Britton is keeping a watchful eye on the unfolding situation in Baltimore, here at home there are a number of features that set our port apart from others.
One of the most noticeable is how both the current and new Harbor Bridge are designed. The columns do not sit in the water, but rather on land.
Another key safety measure is the Port of Corpus Christi's tug assist policy.
"Almost 9,000 vessels total including barges, those ships have a pilot on board who knows this waterway, and they have tugs with them when they are here in the inner harbor, going past Ingleside, and for our largest class of ships going through Port Aransas," said Britton.
There's also inspections of those ships for sea worthiness by members of the U.S. Coast Guard.
"The ship channel is 530 feet wide, it's sloped it's basically a ditch, there's not a lot to run into out there, that will play some benefit," he said.
It's also a team effort.
"We get together and we train, and we train, and train in multiple different scenarios," CCFD Assistant Fire Chief Kenneth Erben said.
He said local first responders take part in exercises every year to prepare them for the unthinkable, like one drill that happened back in August near the American Bank Center.
It involved multiple agencies and simulated a passenger vessel hitting a barge that required a recovery effort of people who may have fallen in the water.
"We have three boats that can respond in the water, we have 14 ambulances, but we also have an ambulance that is capable of transporting 21 people at one time," Erben said.
The training exercises have helped local agencies identify hazards and work together in times of emergency.
"Every year we get better, add new equipment, so in that immediate response we do the most we can to save the most amount of people," He said.
Britton added the training is something that became helpful during 2017's Hurricane Harvey.
"Harvey was our first test of that we learned a lot so we made improvements, we run multiple exercises throughout the year," Britton said.
When it comes to safety of the new Harbor Bridge which is currently under construction, Flatiron/Dragados shared key points which include:
The new Harbor Bridge will be 205 feet above the water with over 500 feet of horizontal clearance across the channel.
The large tower footings are located totally on land, eliminating any potential conflicts with shipping traffic.
The new Harbor Bridge travel lanes will have 50-inches-tall concrete and steel heavy truck traffic rail to protect the bridge elements, including the shared use pedestrian path.
All other supports for the approaches that are adjacent to roadway traffic will have raised solid concrete footings, providing a barrier to potential vehicle impacts.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- WATCH: 3NEWS Women's History Month Panel 2024
- Ramón Ayala farewell tour will stop in Corpus Christi in September
- Doorbell surveillance video shows Caleb Harris hours before disappearance
- RECAP: 'Be a Hero' Blood Drive at KIII-TV3 Studios
- Concerns mount over safety after hit-and-run on SPID frontage road
- Free meditation ceremony for veterans, active-duty military
- Corpus Christi mother makes emotional plea following son's death caused by wrong way intoxicated driver
- An update on the Tesla lithium plant in Robstown
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for your daily news and exclusive extended interviews.
Do you have a news tip? Tell 3!
Email tell3@kiiitv.com so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.