Container ship that lost control of its engines docked at Columbus Street terminal

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A container ship that lost control of its engines and prompted an evacuation of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge on Wednesday has been moved from Charleston Habor and is currently docked.

Leaders with the United States Coast Guard said the MSC Michigan VII was anchored roughly 8.5 miles offshore following the incident and ordered to remain there until further notice.

After an initial investigation, Charleston Harbor Pilots were allowed to undock Thursday morning and assisted the 997-foot, 74,000-ton container ship’s departure. The Captain of the Port ordered the vessel back to port where it was docked at the Columbus Street Terminal for a full investigation.

The ship had departed the North Charleston Container Terminal around 11:46 a.m. Wednesday with engines set to “dead slow speed,” as it headed down the Cooper River toward the bridge. But officials said the engine began increasing speed without warning and would not respond to commands.

Charleston Harbor Pilots noticed the ship gaining speed to 14 knots – or 16 miles per hour – twice the normal speed. They then called in assistance from nearby tugboats; however, they could not make it to the vessel due to the increased speed.

“The Pilot, Master and crew discussed options, and knowing that dropping anchors would not be effective, they decided on a course of action to continue to navigate through the harbor and alert authorities to the situation,” said a representative for the Charleston Branch Pilots Association.

Ships in the harbor were warned to clear the channel or tend mooring lines as the ship passed with a large wake. Police from Charleston and Mount Pleasant stopped traffic on the Ravenel Bridge and worked to evacuate walkers, runners, and bikers from the pedestrian lane.

“…the Pilot applied his skill and emergency training to keep the ship in the center of the channel at the accelerated speed,” officials said.

Some damage was reported around Charleston Harbor due to the ship’s wake. Damage included broken mooring lines, and damaged mooring fittings and gangways.

Two recreational boaters were pushed onto rocks near the tip of Daniel Island, which resulted in them suffering non-life-threatening injuries.  They were taken to the Medical University of South Carolina for treatment.

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident.