Charleston, SC, September 20, 2025
News Summary
In Charleston, a chief engineer has pleaded guilty following a serious incident involving the MSC Michigan VII container ship, which lost engine control while exiting the harbor. The vessel reached dangerous speeds, injuring two boaters and causing over $500,000 in damages. The engineer, Fernando San Diego San Juan, faces multiple charges linked to the ship’s hazardous operational conditions, which were known before its arrival in Charleston.
Charleston, SC – A chief engineer pleaded guilty in connection with a serious incident involving the MSC Michigan VII, a massive 1,000-foot, 150,000-pound container ship that lost engine control while exiting Charleston Harbor on June 5, 2024. The vessel reached an alarming speed of 14 knots, double the normal safe navigation speed through the harbor, due to a throttle that had become stuck in the full-speed-ahead position.
The ship’s out-of-control maneuvers prompted local law enforcement to clear the Ravenel Bridge around noon on that day to prevent potential catastrophe. Unfortunately, the wake created by the MSC Michigan VII injured two recreational boaters, whose vessel was pushed onto rocks near the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina.
After the ship lost control, it was moored back at the Columbus Street Terminal by tugboats around midnight, after spending hours anchored offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. The incident is reported to have caused over $500,000 in damages, leading to a federal lawsuit against the ship’s operator, Mediterranean Shipping Co.
Fernando San Diego San Juan, the 61-year-old chief engineer, is facing charges for failure to report a hazardous condition and obstruction of an agency proceeding. Federal prosecutors indicated that issues with the ship had been known for months leading up to its arrival in Charleston, citing difficulties with air compressors, generators, and a leaking fresh water cooling system.
San Juan joined the crew in April 2024 during a stop in São Paulo, Brazil, receiving less than the standard 24-hour handover period from the previous engineer. The ship’s crew attempted to manually adjust a linkage rod that connected the governor and fuel rack, but in the process, the linkage disconnected, resulting in the ship being stuck at full speed. Improper adjustments to this linkage rod, permitted by the chief engineer, were conducted despite the crew lacking the necessary training for such actions.
San Juan could face a potential prison sentence of up to six years on one charge and up to five years on another, along with equivalent fines for each of the charges. Following the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard responded and the ship left Charleston 48 days later, once it had been taken to the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal for a thorough investigation. San Juan’s plea agreement was reached on September 18, but as of the reporting date, no court hearings were scheduled.
Key Details of the Incident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | June 5, 2024 |
| Ship Name | MSC Michigan VII |
| Ship Length | 1,000 feet |
| Weight | 150,000 pounds |
| Speed Reached | 14 knots |
| Damages | $500,000 |
| Chief Engineer Charged | Fernando San Diego San Juan |
| Potential Penalty | Up to 11 years in prison |
Background Context
The rapid escalation of the incident highlights significant safety and operational issues that affected the MSC Michigan VII prior to its arrival in Charleston. Problems reported with the air compressors, generators, and fresh water cooling system suggest that the vessel was not operating under optimal conditions. The absence of proper communication between crew members during the handover period may have contributed significantly to the mismanagement of the ship’s controls, culminating in this disastrous event.
FAQ Section
What happened with the MSC Michigan VII?
The MSC Michigan VII, a 1,000-foot, 150,000-pound container ship, lost engine control while leaving Charleston Harbor on June 5, 2024. The ship’s throttle was stuck in the full-speed-ahead position, causing it to reach speeds of 14 knots, double the normal speed for harbor navigation.
What damages occurred from the incident?
The incident reportedly caused over $500,000 in damages and injured two recreational boaters whose vessel was pushed onto rocks by the ship’s wake.
Who is being held responsible?
Fernando San Diego San Juan, the 61-year-old chief engineer, has been charged with failure to report a hazardous condition and obstruction of an agency proceeding.
What were the known issues with the ship before the incident?
Problems with the MSC Michigan VII had been known for months prior to its arrival in Charleston, including issues with air compressors, generators, and fresh water cooling system leakage.
What penalties does Fernando San Juan face?
San Juan could face a potential sentence of up to six years in prison on one charge and up to five years on another, with equivalent fines for each charge.
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Additional Resources
- Count On 2 News
- Wikipedia: MSC Michigan VII
- Live 5 News
- Google Search: MSC Michigan VII incident
- Post and Courier
- Google Scholar: MSC Michigan VII Charleston
- Live 5 News Video
- Encyclopedia Britannica: MSC Michigan VII
- WorkBoat
- Google News: Charleston Harbor container ship incident
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