Have you got the bridge? What? Where?

4:59 AM Tue 31 Mar 2009 GMT

'Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge, Columbia River, Oregon, USA' .

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Have you got the fishing boat?
What? Where?
Port side under the genny.
Fine okay right yes thanks, got it now.

Have you got the bridge?
What? Where?...

Three people were on board the yacht Grace as she made her way along the Portland Oregon's Columbia River and tried to pass under the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge under sail but hit it, bringing down her mast.

The Coastguard which responded to the incident noted that 'no damage to the bridge was sustained.'

Petty Officer William Racette of U.S. Coast Guard - Group Portland said reports indicated the Grace's masts struck the bridge around 1:30 p.m., temporarily causing the sailboat to become stuck. However, the boat was able to free itself.

The Grace then made it to the Schooner Creek Marina, upriver of the bridge, under its own power. A good samaritan was was involved in assisting the boat after the collision.

You wouldn't want to be present at that crew de-briefing.

by Des Ryan

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