Posted on 12/09/2003 5:31:47 PM PST by NYer
A Dutch cargo ship tipped over at a 45-degree angle in the frigid Hudson River while being loaded with steel turbines Tuesday, apparently trapping three crew members. Fifteen others were rescued, with some suffering hypothermia.
The missing were believed to be inside the hull of the listing ship, Detective James Miller said.
Divers were brought in. But officials said they did not immediately know if the vessel had filled with water.
The ship had loaded 661 tons of steel turbines bound for Italy and Romania when the cargo apparently shifted, causing the ship to turn partly on its side, Mayor Gerald Jennings said.
Out of the crew of 18, eight were thrown into the partly frozen water. All were pulled out. One was in critical condition and another was in serious condition, hospital officials said. Seven others were rescued from the ship, some by helicopter.
The 289-foot ship remained on its side more than an hour after it tipped over, tethered to the dock at a sharp angle, but apparently stable. A tugboat helped illuminate the area where divers were searching.
The temperature here in Albany tonight is in the teens. The water temperature is below freezing, with ice flows forming in the river.
The crew was loading GE turbine engines, each weighing 1/2 ton, when the load shifted, causing the ship to tip. Will post updates as soon as they are released.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.