Rotten Wood and Oversight Failures Blamed for Deadly Grace Bailey Mast Collapse

The tragic collapse of the main mast on the historic Grace Bailey schooner last October was not merely an accident—it was the predictable outcome of systemic negligence and alarming lapses in safety oversight. According to a newly released U.S. Coast Guard report, rotten wood went unchecked and inspections were poorly documented, allowing a dangerous condition to fester until it cost one passenger her life. How Could Aging Wood Endanger Lives Under America’s Safety Watch? Grace Bailey, a venerable vessel dating back to 1882, should be emblematic of American maritime heritage and pride. Instead, it became a cautionary tale about what...