In Feb 19 the GOLDEN RAY docked at Pier 80 and loaded its precious Tesla cargo and departed for China.
This was a comparatively new ship entering service in 2017, benefitting from a modern bridge and all the advantages that modern computer technology can bring. Although like many other pure vehicle carriers she was 200 metres long she was a bit wider at just over 35 metres. That extra width allowed her to carry up to 7700 cars. She left Pier 80 on 13 Feb 19 and arrived safely in Shanghai on 1 Mar 19. I mention it if only because this ship was, for at least 2 weeks or so, a Tesla chartered vessel.
Six months later disaster struck.
On 8 Sep 19 the GOLDEN RAY was leaving Brunswick, Georgia en route to Baltimore. She had onboard about 4500 Kia and Hyundai cars and as she entered the Atlantic she started to list. In an action reminscent of the HOEGH OSAKA incident in the Solent in Jan 2015, the local pilot immediately steered the vessel towards shallow water to prevent a total capsize. 23 crew members were rescued unharmed although for 4 of them trapped in the engine room with an uncontrolled fire it was a close run thing. The HOEGH OSAKA was refloated by the salvage company, subsequently repaired and quickly returned to service. That was not the case with the GOLDEN RAY - she was written-off and is being totally dismantled in situ, a process that is still ongoing now.
The US NTSB has yet to report on the GOLDEN RAY accident but the UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branch has issued its
report on the HOEGH OSAKA incident which is an interesting read.
There were some US Coastguard
hearings in September 20 from which you can get a very good idea of what went on.
Additionally
@XHabjab posted
here a very informative post with links to the GOLDEN RAY accident.
There is an excellent
article here that covers the incident with some great photos.
The latest update is
here