SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Coast Guard says an empty oil tanker that crashed into the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was warned prior to striking the bridge tower.
The San Francisco Chronicle (http://bit.ly/XNkLjS) did not elaborate Tuesday on the nature of the warning but says it was issued by the Vessel Traffic Service, which is in contact with large commercial ships on the bay.
The Coast Guard reported the warning after a review of audio recordings.
The 752-foot Overseas Reymar struck the bridge tower on Monday. The Coast Guard has classified the crash as a "major marine casualty" because it exceeded $500,000 in property damage.
However, no oil leaks were reported and the bridge remained open. No crew members were injured.
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