Software malfunction suspected in ferry crash

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Software malfunction suspected in ferry crash

The Associated Press 09/23/99 6:46 AM Eastern

SEATTLE (AP) -- Officials suspect a computer software malfunction caused the state ferry Elwha to crash into a dock at Orcas Island earlier this month.

The 382-foot ferry, carrying 158 passengers and 37 vehicles, slammed into the Orcas landing on Sept. 8, damaging the dock and leaving some passengers stranded until limited car-ferry service could be restored.

Sea trials to pinpoint the Elwha's problem began Wednesday and will continue "until we find the doggone thing," said Washington State Ferries' senior port captain, Mark Nitchman.

Data from the Elwha's computerized propulsion-control system indicate that when the skipper tried to reverse engines to slow the boat as it approached the dock, electric current never got through to the drive motor.

The Elwha underwent about $40,000 in repairs for minimal damage to its steel hull and sides.

The sea trials will try to replicate the problem, while the software involved is analyzed by its maker in Houston. Once the problem is pinpointed, new software can be transmitted via the Internet.

However, "even when that takes place, it is not fixed until we go out on sea trials again," Nitchman said.

The Coast Guard, which is investigating the accident, wants to make sure the problem in the Elwha's propulsion-control system does not exist in the Evergreen State, Klahowya and Tillikum -- three smaller ferries with computerized systems made by the same manufacturer.

No injuries were reported in the accident. Repairs to the Orcas dock are expected to cost $2.5 million.

Restricted ferry service will continue at least until Oct. 8, with ferries limited by the tide for times when they can dock.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? We welcome your feedback.

)1999 Oregon Live LLC

http://flash.oregonlive.com/cgi-bin/or_nview.pl?/home1/wire/AP/Stream-Parsed/OREGON_NEWS/o1922_PM_WA--FerryAccident

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), September 23, 1999

Answers

And within hours the toilet paper was gone from the stores.

Hello? You people live on an ISLAND! Stuff HAPPENS! Sheesh!

But golly it makes a great teaching opportunity.

-- bw (home@puget.sound), September 23, 1999.


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