UPDATE, JUNE 6, 2014: The U.S. Coast Guard has turned the capsizing of Baden over to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB investigation will likely take several months. Furthermore, a spokesperson for Northern Marine confirmed to a Washington State newspaper than 50 of 54 employees were laid off within 48 hours of the accident.
Read on for the rest of the story as originally posted.
Northern Marine’s management team released a statement on May 30 regarding the capsizing of Baden. The rugged-looking megayacht rolled on he port side during launch on May 18. The statement from the shipyard underscored that its personnel are cooperating with the U.S. Coast Guard in its investigation. Northern Marine also stated that it is working with the owner and the owner’s insurance company “to address the losses resulting from the accident.”
Here is more of the statement:
Since the casualty, there has been much speculation as to what happened, often with little or no supporting evidence. Northern Marine is cooperating with the United States Coast Guard in its investigation into incident. …
Since the accident, the project naval architect/Professional Engineer has confirmed that the yacht, as designed, had adequate stability with the amount of ballast aboard at the time of launch, provided that “severe heeling moments” were not induced during the launch. Unfortunately, it appears that just such a severe heeling moment did occur during the launch.
While investigations as to the cause of the capsizing are continuing, the physical evidence on, and adjacent to, the launch ramp suggests that the dolly carrying the weight of the port stern of the yacht may have suddenly dropped off the edge of the boat ramp during the launch, causing the vessel to experience a sudden list to port from which it could not recover in its light condition for launch.
As noted above, the official USCG investigation continues and Northern Marine will cooperate in those investigations to their conclusion. Northern Marine is also working closely with the yacht’s purchaser and their insurance underwriters to address the losses resulting from the accident.
Northern Marine wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation for its many employees that contributed their talents to the construction of the yacht.
Read Northern Marine Launch Capsizes, Concerns Raised for the original story.
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