Lawyer reminds not to pinpoint tanker pilot as investigations are at the beginning
Investigators were gathering evidence on Jan 9 to determine what caused the "Overseas Reymar" to allide with a tower support of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, while a lawyer for the ship's pilot called any speculation that his client was at fault highly premature.
The U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement that the ship had been warned it was off course.
But the Coast Guard refused to disclose what time the warning was given or release a recording of the conversation between the ship and the Vessel Traffic Service.
Investigators will examine the recorded conversation between the tanker and a dispatcher with the service, along with a host of other factors.
There are many potential causes for investigators to study, such as mechanical failure aboard the Overseas Reymar, faulty navigational devices, unpredictable fog conditions, the actions of the ship's bridge crew, water currents and tides, and other possible sources.
Kleess' attorney characterized previous accidents as "minor incidents" and said Kleess has a "good record" as a pilot.