Golden Ray to be scrapped in place....

You'd have to think this detail is being added to the Pilot's check list upon boarding...

When you really think about how the scene may have played out, felt, reacted...it sure would seem that the change in course was related more to physics as compared to human decision, and that the physical shift initiated the chain of events.......that then all summed up in a plausible explanation pointing to human decision making.

The lack of proper ballasting would have left her prone to considerable instability to any outside forces, and then amplified by the turn. Oversteering a correction could even had amplified the roll.

But a lot safer than Sparky holding a plasma cutter....

A pretty good article here :
https://jalopnik.com/a-chain-just-cut-through-a-capsized-cargo-ship-filled-w-1845784581

Very cool article Chesapeake 46!

Great pictures there ! Don't buy any used cars in Ga. if they seem too good to be true !!

It's amazing to see exactly how piled up and damaged they are. I can only imagine the forces on that ship when it tipped over.

Look like tinker toys

Still there when I was on St Simon Island on February 20th. Apparently they are having trouble with the cut that includes the engine room and have broken the chain more than once. They were disengaged from the wreck at that time for maintenance.

Capt J, it isn't the engineer who's responsible for ballasting the vessel [usually], it is the chief mate or cargo mate. I know, because I sailed CM on these types of vessels for several years. However, if you look at the pictures of the cut sections, you'll see that most of the cars were on the upper decks - so cargo loading CERTAINLY is a factor too. Correct ballasting might of solved ALL of the problem. But it is entirely possible that even with all the ballast tanks full, the cargo loaded too high would result in an angle of lull.

As one who sailed on that type of vessel for several years, and passed ships close-aboard in several ports, including Brunswick, I can assure you that almost all pilots are working "plan A", but have "plans b through d" in their head.

Could you imagine having this thing lording over you helm? Took awhile but they're doing a good job.
https://youtu.be/GFyutCxo5T0

I'll say it again, and again. Too many cars on the upper decks. . . and, obviously, insufficient ballast. I worked as Chief Mate on these kind of vessels for 5 years. . .

I ran by this monstrosity about a week ago. I'd say that 2/3 of the ship is gone and only the midship section remains.

3 of 8 sections are gone. They start back on cutting thru the ER next.
I wonder if they are cutting thru the engine causing the issues back there.

You would think they would plan to avoid that but I read somewhere they had broken the chain 3 times on that cut before they disengaged for maintenance when I was there on February 20th. They then decided to go up front and take out section 2 just behind the bow section.

Not sure the chain is working at all like they were planning.
They are cutting lines of 6" holes in the hull sides to help keep the chain close to where they want the cut (rip). Even then the chain is still wondering.
At best the chain is ripping, not cutting.
I would of thought, in all the time it took to start working on this wreck, somebody would have welded some carbide teeth on the chain before it's use.