'Functionally obsolete' draw bridge crashes down on mega yacht

© WSVN7

There was no party for a mega yacht called "RockStar" after a draw bridge unexpectedly came down on the passing vessel.

Chopper 4 was over the scene as the ship called the "Rockstar," was being towed from Fort Lauderdale to Miami.

The yacht, which costs a little more than quarter of a million dollars to charter for a week was waiting for a visit from the Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before it could continue on.

The broad causeway that connects North Miami with Bay Harbor Islands and Bal Harbour is undergoing tests to make sure the locking mechanism works.

Assistant City Mananger J.C. Jimenez said the vessel was under tow when the tow company requested the bridge tender to raise both sides so it could pass.

As the ship passed through, the East side of the draw bridge suddenly started to slip and crashed down on the yacht, taking out part of the roof causing tens of thousands of dollars in damages.

Fifteen people were reported to be aboard the yacht with no injuries.

Incidentally, the broad causeway, which is about 60 years old, is about to undergo a $13-million dollar rehab project which includes replacing parts of the draw bridge mechanism because of past electrical problems.

The city has engineers are evaluating the causeway bridge and what to do next.

As of Tuesday evening, large vessels were still unable to go under the bridge. Vehicle traffic across the bridge was also restricted.

The FWC is investigating the cause of the incident.

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