PORTLAND, Maine — The Casco Bay Bridge, which connects Portland and South Portland, failed to open fully Wednesday for a cargo vessel attempting to pass underneath the drawbridge.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England Capt. Matt Baker told NEWS CENTER Maine a cargo ship was "steaming" toward the Casco Bay Bridge when it "did not open as anticipated."
Tugboats, which assist large vessels coming into the harbor, were utilized to bring the cargo ship to a stop "a very safe distance away from the bridge." Baker estimated that distance to be hundreds of yards.
The cargo ship then waited for the bridge to open.
Portland Harbormaster Kevin Battle told NEWS CENTER Maine it is believed the bridge did not open all the way because of a car that had either broken down or ignored the signals. Maine Department of Transportation spokesperson Paul Merrill also said a vehicle drove past the arm that blocks traffic on the bridge.
"We had to wait to back up the vehicle before we could open the bridge for marine traffic," Merrill told NEWS CENTER Maine. "Nothing mechanical. Just someone who drove too far and we had to straighten it out before opening the bridge up."
Battle said tugboat operators jumped into action to stop the boat as soon as they realized the bridge was not opening.
"Portland Tugboat did a great job," Battle told NEWS CENTER Maine. "No dents, do dings, no errors."
Baker said he did not know why the bridge did not open.
This story may be updated as NEWS CENTER Maine learns more.