U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 8WR Division 11

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35W Bridge Collapse Response On Thursday, 9/02/07, Division 11:8WR had two facilities on patrol on the Mississippi river at the site of the Highway 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, MN. One facility commanded by Denny Sando, and the second by Robert Smekta. The first facility, commanded by Auxiliarist Denny Sando, played a prominent role in the morning's activities. The vessel, containing an experienced and well-practiced crew of six, arrived on scene early in the morning. After taking part in the "unified command" briefing, the facility headed up river to the accident site in order to become familiar with the scene. This is when they got their first view of the collapse. Next they linked up with the MSD patrol vessel to discuss the morning's patrol. Early in the patrol, their primary duties were to watch for unauthorized vessels in the channel and to escort the barge containing the recovery divers to the site of the collapse. Around 1015 hrs, unified command center contacted the Auxiliary vessel and requested that they pick-up the NTSB investigators and transport them to the flattened bridge deck in the middle of the river. The Auxiliary vessel immediately proceeded to the pick-up location and brought the investigators on board and made sure everyone was outfitted with a PFD. The crew transported the NTSB officials to the portion of the bridge deck that lay in the middle of the Mississippi. Commander Denny Sando, expertly maneuvered through the dangerous debris filled waters and safely docked his boat to the bridge deck. After the crew secured the vessel, the NTSB officials disembarked. The extent of the tragedy was especially dramatic from ground level. The close vantage point permitted the crew could see the full scope of the bridge collapse. We have images of the scene thanks to Auxiliarist Jeff Dietz, who used his photography skills to carefully document this important patrol. A few of the nearly 100 photos Jeff took are on this web page for member viewing. - Joan Beck SO-Public Affairs

News

Division Newsletter

35W Bridge Collapse Response

On Thursday, 9/02/07, Division 11:8WR had two facilities on patrol on the Mississippi river at the site of the Highway 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, MN. One facility commanded by Denny Sando, and the second by Robert Smekta. The first facility, commanded by Auxiliarist Denny Sando, played a prominent role in the morning's activities. The vessel, containing an experienced and well-practiced crew of six, arrived on scene early in the morning. After taking part in the "unified command" briefing, the facility headed up river to the accident site in order to become familiar with the scene. This is when they got their first view of the collapse. Next they linked up with the MSD patrol vessel to discuss the morning's patrol.

Early in the patrol, their primary duties were to watch for unauthorized vessels in the channel and to escort the barge containing the recovery divers to the site of the collapse. Around 1015 hrs, unified command center contacted the Auxiliary vessel and requested that they pick-up the NTSB investigators and transport them to the flattened bridge deck in the middle of the river. The Auxiliary vessel immediately proceeded to the pick-up location and brought the investigators on board and made sure everyone was outfitted with a PFD. The crew transported the NTSB officials to the portion of the bridge deck that lay in the middle of the Mississippi. Commander Denny Sando, expertly maneuvered through the dangerous debris filled waters and safely docked his boat to the bridge deck. After the crew secured the vessel, the NTSB officials disembarked.

The extent of the tragedy was especially dramatic from ground level. The close vantage point permitted the crew could see the full scope of the bridge collapse. We have images of the scene thanks to Auxiliarist Jeff Dietz, who used his photography skills to carefully document this important patrol. A few of the nearly 100 photos Jeff took are on this web page for member viewing.

- Joan Beck SO-Public Affairs