We determined that the probable cause of the breakaway of the containership Helsinki Bridge and subsequent allision with the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal was the failure of Massachusetts Port Authority to provide suitable berthing arrangements during ongoing construction at the Conley Container Terminal, which resulted in the overloading and failure of a single mooring bollard. Contributing to the accident was the lack of preparation by the vessel’s master, who was aware of the less than suitable mooring arrangements and the deteriorating weather forecast but took no mitigating action to address the situation.
