Runaway ship shut down the Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor. Here's how it happened. (2024)

The agingMSC Michigan VIIcruised into Charleston Harbor at 5:44 p.m. June 4, arriving from Norfolk, Va., likely with little attention. Just another ship in a countless convoy headed to a S.C. State Ports Authority dock before unloading and retreating back out to sea.

When it departed the following day, however, a propulsion problem aboard the 1,000-foot vessel attracted widespread attention— both on land and from the water. The malfunction caused its throttle to stick at full-go. U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities cleared the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the river below as the massive vessel barreled down the shipping channel.

An investigation continues. Online inspection and maintenance records show that the ship twice this year—in two different countries—had been flagged for various problems.

The Coast Guard in February noted a problem with its steering gear alarm when theMichiganwas harbored in Boston. A month earlier, Polish inspectors found seven deficiencies —including two with its propulsion and auxiliary machinery, according to an online European port registry.

On June 5, crews at the North Charleston Terminal unloaded 378 containers before theMichiganwas set to carry on to Savannah to unload more cargo.

The ship was to shove off from Charleston at 11:30 a.m. It left about 15 minutes late and soon ran into problems, requiring a deft hand to avoid a potential catastrophe.

The harbor pilot, an experienced navigator, made 16 turns: five left turns, two right turns, two left turns, a right turn, three left turns, two right turns and, finally, a left turn.

The harrowing voyage took 86 minutes.

Here is a minute-by-minute account of what happened, as culled from information provided by the Coast Guard, Charleston Branch Pilots Association, police and other reporting by The Post and Courier.

Timeline

* = approximation

11:46 a.m.

With a local harbor pilot aboard, theMichigandeparts the North Charleston Terminal with the help of two tug boats. It heads north briefly before turning around and heading down the Cooper River.

12:04 p.m.

The pilot orders the engines to “dead slow ahead,” which is about 7 knots.

Instead, near the Filbin Creek Reach just before the Don Holt Bridge, the ship increases speed to about 10 knots after its propulsion system gets stuck near full-throttle.

12:15 p.m.*

TheMichigan’sspeed still “hadn’t fully racked up” as it passes beneath the bridge, which carries Interstate 526 over the river. Its speed at this point is about 13 knots, or 15 mph.

A decision is reached by the harbor pilot and the ship’s master to continue course.

12:17 p.m.

Command center watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston receive a dispatch from the Charleston Harbor Pilots of a malfunction on theMichiganand its increasing speed.

12:18 p.m.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including those in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, are notified. Coordinated plans begin to halt traffic across the Ravenel.

12:20 p.m.*

TheMichigancontinues south, passing Noisette Creek and Riverfront Park, approaching 15 knots.

12:23 p.m.

The vessel passes the docks at Detyens Shipyards, a commercial repair shop on the old Navy base. It begins to turn left slightly at a bend in the river as it approaches the mouth of Clouster Creek at Daniel Island.

12:26 p.m.

Before theMichiganpasses the west edge of Daniel Island, a Coast Guard cutter positions in front of the ship’s path further down the Cooper River.

12:30 p.m.*

Charleston and Mount Pleasant police work to clear the Ravenel bridge, blocking lanes of traffic and using vehicles to get pedestrians and cyclists off the span.

12:40 p.m.*

TheMichiganpasses left of Drum Island traveling about 14 knots.

12:41 p.m.

Police from both sides clear the Ravenel bridge of all vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. TheMichigancontinues to churn breaking wake ahead of its bow as it holds to the center of the channel. A final few cars clear exit ramps as the ship nudges beneath the bridge.

12:42 p.m.

TheMichiganclears the Ravenel and continues on its path through the harbor.

12:45 p.m.*

The ship’s speed climbs to 15 knots, or more than 17 mph, as it bears left near the Yorktown and Patriots Point on Mount Pleasant.

12:46 p.m.

The ship rounds Patriots Point and the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, which sustains damage from the substantial wake.

12:48 p.m.

TheMichigannudges left and left again to stay in the channel as it passes Fort Sumter on its starboard side.

12:49 p.m.

Coast Guard receives a report of two recreational boaters around Daniel Island who were injured from wake created by ship. The boaters are taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

1:12 p.m.

The ship clears jetties at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. Its speed has climbed to nearly 18 knots, more than 20 mph. The crew cuts the engines and drifts in the open ocean, before finally dropping anchor.

1:55 p.m.

The harbor pilot disembarks from theMichiganand heads back to shore.

Around midnight, tug boats pullMSC Michigan XIIback into Charleston. It is moored at Columbus Street Terminal as an investigation continues.

Kailey Cota, James Paul and Sandra Hodson contributed to this report.