# The darker side of the bridge collapse

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-darker-side-of-the-bridge-collapse/999569>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [March 29, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-darker-side-of-the-bridge-collapse/999569 "2024-03-29T17:01:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 66

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**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2024, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-darker-side-of-the-bridge-collapse/999569/66 "2024-04-04T10:47:59Z")

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> [@Si\_Amigo](#):
>
> But really, wouldnt the first reaction of a ship in harbor being hijacked be for the harbor master to order all tugboats to pin it in or veer it off course, possibly run it aground?

A hijacking implies that the hijackers are armed - which means that any tugboat attempting to nudge the ship should expect to be fired upon.

Also, @andrewm’s post in **[the other thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/210)** suggests that tugs are privately owned/operated vessels - in other words, like planes at an airport, they may require permission for their activities and might have to follow harbormaster directives to assure overall harbor safety, but I don’t believe they can be ordered into harm’s way; it’d be like a cop ordering nearby civilians to help him end a hostage situation.

Also also, as noted upthread, tugs can’t do a whole hell of a lot to a container ship without its acquiescence, especially if it (the container ship) is already moving forward with significant speed.

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