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Sail-World.com : Have you got the BRIDGE? What? Where?

Have you got the BRIDGE? What? Where?

'Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge, Columbia River, Oregon, USA' .

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Have you got THE FISHING BOAT?
What? Where?
Port side under the genny.
Fine okay right yes thanks, got it now.

Have you got THE BRIDGE?
What? Where?...ahh..oops

Three people were on board the yacht Grace as she made her way along the Portland Oregon's Columbia River and tried to pass under the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge under sail but hit it, bringing down her mast.

The Coastguard which responded to the incident noted that 'no damage to the bridge was sustained.'

Petty Officer William Racette of U.S. Coast Guard - Group Portland said reports indicated the Grace's masts struck the bridge around 1:30 p.m., temporarily causing the sailboat to become stuck. However, the boat was able to free itself.

The Grace then made it to the Schooner Creek Marina, upriver of the bridge, under its own power. A good samaritan was was involved in assisting the boat after the collision.

You wouldn't want to be present at that crew de-briefing.

Editor's Note: Enquiries to the Coastguard were answered by Petty Officer Tara Molle of the Seattle Coastguard, with the following story:

'A gill-netter was legally marked and operating on the river within regulations when the sailing vessel Grace accidentally ran over a net.

'The cause of the incident is believed to be from the operator of the gill nets apparently trying to inform the sailing vessel Grace of the potential danger of the nets.

'The owner of the sailing vessel Grace was distracted from what was ahead while trying to interpret the warning, therefore accidentally striking the bridge with the mast of the vessel.'

You still wouldn't want to be present at that crew de-briefing

by Des Ryan 3:59 AM Tue 31 Mar 2009 GMT

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