Sailboat snaps mast on Connecticut River bridge
The mast of a sailboat struck the lift span of the Connecticut River Railroad Bridge as it was closing Sunday, snapping the boat's mast and causing delays on Amtrak's Northeast Regional line.
The 41-foot Hunter sailboat hit the south side of the bridge between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook just after 11 a.m., according to an employee at SeaTow Central Connecticut.
The boat hit the bridge as its operator attempted to pass underneath while the bridge was closing.
The boat's mast snapped in half and fell back onto the boat. No injuries were reported.
Amtrak spokesperson Kimberly Woods said the incident delayed three trains on the Northeast Regional line between 30 minutes and an hour.
Woods confirmed that the bridge was closing when the mast struck the lift span and snapped, and said the bridge was not damaged.
The Amtrak Police Department investigated the incident, Woods said, and added that Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection police responded to the scene.
Trains were operating normally by Sunday evening.
SeaTow Central Connecticut towed the boat to the Old Lyme Marina.
Stories that may interest you
Notably Norwich: Making memories from near or far on Facebook
No matter how far you move physically in life, you never completely leave the place where you grew up.
Buried History: Pepperbox Cemetery, dissenters and sins from the past
The cemetery dates back nearly 300 years to the early years of New London, before the establishment of Waterford as a separate town.
New London police union defends use of website
The local police union president calls the commentary on its website free speech protected by the First Amendment.
Docking some time on the Mystic River
Two men were collecting anchors onto a floating dock Thursday on the river in downtown Mystic.
READER COMMENTS