The oil tanker "Overseas Reymar" registered in the Marshall Islands was on its way out to the ocean but caused a bit of damage on its voyage after striking the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge today.
Fortunately, the tanker was empty at the time of the hit.
The busy bridge did not close to traffic as the damage sustained was minimal.
Charlie Goodyear, spokesman for the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association, said that although the ship’s hull remained intact the body of the vessel suffered some scrapes and dents according to USA Today.
The vessel and part of the bridge sustained a little damage, but the superstructure of the bridge was fine, said California Emergency Management Agency spokesman Jordan Scott.
Because the oil tanker wasn't carrying any cargo when it struck the bridge, no oil or toxic materials found its way into the water.
"There is some damage to the vessel, but nothing that poses a danger to anybody," he said. "A fire boat is out there to make sure it stays that way, and it should."
The California Department of Transportation went out to the bridge to check for any first-damage to the span. A spokesman for DOT said that the bridge does maintain a “fender system” that can absorb minor hits.
To get a feel for driving across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, check out the video accompanying this article.
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