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I lived in Baltimore Harbor for two years, on a 105-foot barge (with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fireplace and a grand piano -- it was a great life for a while). I also worked for the Baltimore City Planning Commission. I know these water taxis well.

I also know the nature of a micro-burst, or white squall, which sank the original reproduction Clipper ship. the Pride of Baltimore. Yesterday's micro-burst apparently went over the Inner Harbor at about 60 MPH, headed towards Fort McHenry.

All of the water taxis are manned by qualified captains. One of the captains apparently at the dock, radioed the captain of this one that was headed for Fort McHenry that this was coming up on him. He azpparently tried to head for the nearest shoreline as quickly as possible, but didn't make it.

I don't see this as operator error. Everyone did what they should have in the presented emergency. I view this as one small step short of being overtaken by a suddenly formed water spout. Credits to the rescue personnel who were at the scene picking up people in the water, within minutes.

And never mind the ignorance of the press in suggesting (darkly) that none of the passengers were required to be wearing the life jackets that are stored under the seats. Since the estalishment of the water taxis, they have logged millions of passenger miles without a sinking incident. Imagine if a freak airline accident let to the suggestion that all passengers would have to wear their life jackets from the time the plane left the gate to the time it landed at its destination. That's how dumb this implied suggestion for the taxis would amount to.

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread). Please do it now.