?
gf.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/3929519/detail.html


Sailboat Played Role In Freighter-San Rafael Bridge Collision

POSTED: 8:03 am PST November 18, 2004

ALAMEDA -- An initial U.S. Coast Guard investigation into a July collision
between a freight ship and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge has found that a
small sailboat played a role in the collision.

Around 4:30 p.m. on July 11, the 590-foot freight ship Pacific Highway,
which was carrying automobiles, hit the fendering system of the bridges
north support tower while en route to Benicia.

According to the Coast Guard, the impact did not cause any injuries, but did
cause some damage to the bridge's fendering system. There was also some
damage to the port side of the freight ship.

Investigators found that the Della Brown, a 34-foot sailboat, was in the
vicinity of the ship at the time of the collision.

The Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office for the San Francisco Bay is
recommending a civil penalty against the operator of the Della Brown for
impeding the passage of the freight ship.

According to the Coast Guard, the sailboat operator violated Rule 9 of the
Inland Rules of the Road. The maximum penalty for violating this rule is
$6,500, according to the Coast Guard.

The office is forwarding the results of its investigation to Coast Guard
Headquarters, for final approval of the recommendations.