Those who know me are aware that I frequently engage but try to apply critical thinking to all sorts of conspiracy theories. The term itself has a negative connotation, but some conspiracy theories are eventually proven as fact; just because it’s labeled a conspiracy theory doesn’t automatically negate its veracity.
One can either blindly and dismissively accept it as a crackpot idea or look closer without the confirmation bias of preconceived notions. Some conspiracy theories are indeed crackpot ideas. Not all, but many are.
Some facts regarding the Key Bridge disaster are in order. The ship had electrical problems, which began the accident chain. It lost power and its ability to steer.
Time became very compressed, and decisions had to be made quickly. The crew focused on restoring power and control, which also seemed problematic. In an effort to slow the ship, I understand the aft port anchor was deployed. Anyone who knows about how a boat is steered is aware that it’s not like a car, it steers from the rear. When the anchor was deployed, it created drag on the port side.
From the rear of the ship, that port drag would swing the nose to the starboard.
Any boater knows when you drop anchor your steering becomes essentially useless anyway. A ship of that tonnage and with that much momentum takes a lot of drag to stop it, which is not enough for a single anchor. It’s not like a car hitting the brakes. Based on these facts, the impact was inevitable.
There was not an explosion, as some folks who posted videos of a different bridge aver. Some theorists posted videos of the actual Key Bridge impact, zoomed in to the sections of the bridge structure, and claimed there were demolition-cutting explosives used (thermite?). These people are unaware of the metallurgy involved here. That much steel tonnage at a junction point being moved suddenly with so much energy dissipates as heat and appears as though it was quite quickly chemically cut…the end result is the same. A rapid severing of the joints, with the attendant sparks flying, and not pre-planned.
While I appreciate a good conspiracy as much as the next guy, let’s wait for the NTSB report. In all likelihood, it will be found that it was a series of extremely unfortunate events compounded by human error committed by the attempts by those involved that led to the devastating outcome. As a pilot, we train for unforeseen events and practice dealing with them. But we cannot foresee every calamity. Further, when you’re under the gun, you have to assess the situation quickly and project the possible outcomes quickly. You use your experience and best judgment to diffuse a situation. We cannot plan for everything. Sometimes, we simply get it wrong, and occasionally with devastating results.
Just asking the conspiracy theorists to try and keep their dogmas on a leash.