MEC&F Expert Engineers : 07/03/16

Sunday, July 3, 2016

AT LEAST 118 PEOPLE WILL DIE TOMORROW ON THE DEADLY U.S. ROADS. DO NOT BE ONE OF THEM. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.











Traffic Experts: July 4 Is Deadliest Day On America's Roads; Holiday Weekend Raises Risk

Don Stacom

July 4 Is Deadliest Day On America's Roads


  TOMORROW

HARTFORD — The mix of heavy traffic, hot weather and a generally festive mood contribute to making the July Fourth weekend particularly hazardous to drivers, according to experts.

July 4 itself has become the deadliest day of the year on American highways, and is a particularly serious risk for motorcyclists, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Alcohol plays a prominent role, according to a newly released report from the institute: New Year's Day is the only day of the year with more alcohol-related fatal wrecks.

"The deadliest times on the road are July 4 and Jan. 1, and it's no coincidence that both are tied to heavy drinking," said Chris Hayes, a vice president in the risk control operation at Travelers.
 
"There's so much attention now to distracted driving and cell phone use, but we need to remember the basics, too: Be on the lookout, wear your seat belt and don't drink and drive," Hayes said in an interview at Travelers' downtown office.

 
State troopers will deploy extra patrols to catch intoxicated or reckless drivers during the weekend.

"Please do not drink and drive since that is a deadly combination," Col. Alaric Fox said in a statement. "If you are on the road and suspect a drunk driver, please call 911, as this is a true emergency."

On a typical day, about one third of fatal accidents are linked to alcohol; on July 4, that rises to nearly half, the insurance institute reports.

Overall, an average of 118 people have died on the roads on each Independence Day between 2010 and 2014, according to the insurance institute report. That compares to 90 on a typical day of the year. The statistics on motorcyclists are even more sobering: Independence Day has by far the highest death toll for riders, claiming an average of 26 lives compared to just over 12 on a typical day.






State troopers will be out in increased numbers this July 4 weekend in the hopes of preventing accidents.

Connecticut had just two fatalities during last year's holiday weekend, but troopers reported 170 crashes — 48 of them with injuries — and wrote almost 860 speeding tickets. They charged 33 motorists with drunken driving.

This year shapes up as a busy one on the roads. AAA is projecting that almost 36 million Americans will be driving between June 30 and July 4, up more than 1 percent from the 2015 Independence Day holiday period.

"July 4 is Monday, allowing for extra time for beach outings, cookouts and fireworks. This translates to increased traffic starting as early as Friday and continuing through the evening of July 4," state police said.

Hayes counsels motorists to take precautions because of the extra hazards. Summertime sun and heat can lead to dehydration, and extended daylight hours can lead some to stay awake longer than they're accustomed to, he said. Traffic jams are likely, and delays for highway construction cause more frustrating backups.

"You're trying to squeeze 36 million people into fewer lanes, and a lot of them are going to places they're not usually seeing — the beach, a family outing, a picnic," Hayes said.

Hayes advises anyone driving to avoid alcohol altogether, and to be particularly wary of fatigue. Motorists entering work zones or stop-and-go traffic jams should eliminate distractions such as the radio, and focus on leaving plenty of stopping room between their car and the vehicle ahead.

"We all want to get to our destinations," he said. "If you play it in an aggressive way, you increase everyone's risk."

1 killed, another severly injued after a car was hit head-on by a loose barbecue smoker being towed by a motor-home in Palmyra, PA




Police: Deadly crash in Palmyra Saturday evening; Update: Pal-Mac Schools extend sympathies



July 03, 2016 02:24 PM

** Update **

The Pal-Mac Central School District says that the victim of the crash was Seth Krebbeks, who was a 2015 graduate. The District extended their sympathies to family and friends of Seth.



They also extended their well-wishes to Jared Jones, who they say was the other person in the accident. Strong Hospital says that Jared has been discharged.

The school district offered their sympathies and are offering counselors to the community. The counselors will be at the High School Tuesday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

 




A gofundme.com page has been set up by Seth's friends in order to support funeral expenses. You can find it here.

_______________________________

Police in Wayne County say a large grill is to blame for a deadly crash in Palmyra Saturday. Macedon police were called to Route 31 and Creek Road. A car was hit head-on by a barbecue smoker being towed by a motor-home.

Responding officers found two victims inside the car that was hit. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car was taken to Strong Hospital by mercy flight.

Right now investigators are working to figure out what caused the smoker to break free. 


Jennifer Lee ·
St. John Fisher College
That bump before the bridge is a pretty big bump. Camper/towing grill might of just hit the bump just right to break free and I'm sure there may be other issues with how it was hooked up to the camper? The bumper of the camper was hanging half off. This is very sad. I'm lucky to have left my parents house later than I was suppose to. Sending prayers to the ones involved in the accident and their family and friends.
 

Speeding and/or drunk driver fled the scene after fiery crash near Arlington water treatment plant


 



Driver missing after fiery crash near Arlington water treatment plant






Police say a car crash started a grass fire near an Arlington water treatment plant early Sunday morning.
Landon Haaf, WFAA 12:42 PM. CDT July 03, 2016





A driver is missing after a crash that started a grass fire near an Arlington water treatment plant early Sunday morning, police said.

Around 12:35 a.m., Fort Worth police were called to assist Fort Worth and Arlington fire departments at the scene of a grass fire near the Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant on the 1500 block of Greenbelt Road.

Police say the driver was likely speeding when the car left the roadway, cleared a fence and rolled down an embankment before landing in the ditch.

Water Department video footage showed the driver of that car leaving the scene before the car caught fire. No one was inside the vehicle when the fire started, police said.

Images captured by News 8 at the scene showed a charred vehicle laying upside-down in the grass.

The Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant is located just south of the Trinity River's West Fork, near the border between Fort Worth and Arlington.

Copyright 2016 WFAA

A Virginia man lost his foot in an explosion in Central Park near Fifth Avenue and East 62nd Street


Man severely injured in explosion in Central Park





Josh Einiger has breaking details from the scene of an explosion that injured a man walking in Central Park.





Eyewitness News
Updated 15 mins ago

CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (WABC) -- A man was severely injured Sunday morning in an explosion in Central Park near Fifth Avenue and East 62nd Street, and a section of the park was closed as police investigate.

The victim, identified as 18-year-old Connor Golden from Fairfax, Virginia, was walking with two friends when he stepped on something and it blew up, according to witnesses.

Police said witnesses told them the man had just stepped onto a rock when an explosion occurred. People in the area said the explosion was heard blocks away.

"We were climbing down the rocks, Connor was 6 feet behind me and all of sudden I felt the explosion on my back," said one of Golden's friends, Thomas Hinds. "The explosion sounded like a gunshot next to my ears. I turned around and saw his foot which wasn't completely blown off but was severely mutilated. My other friend Matthew was behind Connor and all he saw was massive amount of dirt go flying up in the air."

Authorities say the accident is likely fireworks-related, given that Monday is the 4th of July.

There was a bag or a wrapping of what appears to be from fireworks recovered nearby.

Hinds insists that he, Golden, and a third friend with them, Matthew Stabile, did not have fireworks.

"This was definitely not a firecracker. The police were understandably going at us hard asking about firecrackers because the idea that there would be some sort of bomb in Central Park is really scary," said Hinds.

He said the group had been planning to go upstate to go camping.

The NYPD bomb squad is on the scene.



The man suffered a severe leg injury, and the FDNY confirms he was taken to Bellevue with a possible amputation.


Authorities closed off part of Central Park as they try to determine what caused the explosion.

Neal Moriarty, a Cal Fire captain of Morro Bay, and Ross Moriarty, a licensed insurance agent of Los Osos, sentenced to probation for insurance fraud


Moriarty brothers put on informal probation for insurance fraud


Neal and Ross Moriarty entered no-contest pleas

They were sentenced to one year of informal probation


Neal Moriarty California Department of Insurance

By Nick Wilson
nwilson@thetribunenews.com

Neal and Ross Moriarty were sentenced to a year each of informal probation for their roles in a scheme to reinstate an insurance policy before filing a claim, according to the California Department of Insurance. They had entered no-contest pleas to the fraud in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.

“The department has taken administrative action to revoke Ross Moriarty’s agent license,” the agency said in a statement Friday.

Neal Moriarty, 38, a Cal Fire captain of Morro Bay, and Ross Moriarty, 42, a licensed insurance agent of Los Osos, were arrested by Cal Fire officials and California Department of Insurance agents last July for their roles in an insurance fraud conspiracy.

The department’s investigation revealed that Neal Moriarty hit a deer while driving on Highway 101, causing significant damage to his personal vehicle. He was uninjured in the crash but also uninsured, the state agency said.

While still at the scene of the accident, he called his brother Ross, who used his position as a licensed insurance agent to reinstate Neal Moriarty’s automobile insurance, according to the department.

The brothers falsified the timeline of the accident and reported a fraudulent claim to the insurer for $13,709 to repair the damaged vehicle, the department said. Insurance investigators, suspicious of the claim, asked for phone records that Neal Moriarty failed to provide, the agency said.

He withdrew his claim a month later.

The men are the nephews of Al Moriarty, convicted of fraud in a Ponzi scheme in 2014, bilking investors out of millions of dollars. He was ordered in December 2014 to pay about 170 investors $10.2 million.

4 former Allstate workers awarded $27 million in defamation lawsuit against the company





(Shutterstock)




Sunday, July 03, 2016 07:17AM
NORTHBROOK, Ill. (WLS) -- Four former Allstate workers will split up $27 million after they sued the insurance company for defamation.

The workers were fired in 2009 for allegedly timing trades to increase their incentive bonuses.

Allstate claimed the workers cost the Northbrook-based company $200 million. The workers say that ruined their careers because people could connect the dots and believe they did it.

Major water main break in Pleasant Hill, CA sent water flowing, flooding the roads and some nearby business properties.


Pleasant Hill water line break causes sinkhole





Crews are making progress on a major water main break in Pleasant Hill. (KGO-TV)





by Sergio Quintana
Saturday, July 02, 2016 07:39PM
PLEASANT HILL, Calif. (KGO) -- Crews are making progress on a major water main break in Pleasant Hill.

The break happened Friday night and it sent water flowing, flooding the roads and some nearby business properties.

The southbound lanes of Contra Costa Boulevard will likely remain closed through Sunday. Crews are still repairing the damage caused by a water main break Friday night.

"They'll be most likely be working throughout today into tomorrow. I don't have a final time line but we will keep people updates as repairs are getting close," said Jennifer Allen of the Contra Costa Water District.

When the water main broke, water began pushing up to the surface causing a flood. But it also created a pretty big washout hole and that became another problem. Crews were able to isolate the aging cast iron pipe, that's probably about 60 years old.

Crews turned off the water and have been working on fixing the damage ever since. Several local businesses got flooded.

"There's water in the store, completely, completely submerged. But everything was protected, no problem. There's some minor soaking on a couple items," said business owner Dan Fan.

It's not clear yet just how many businesses had water damage but an employee of a couple properties said the water in some spots last night was up to his knees.

Crews will take a couple days to fix the street damage because they will have to back fill the dirt that was washed up by the break and caused the hole. Drivers Expect southbound Contra Costa Boulevard to be shut down through the weekend.

A brush fire burned five homes in San Bernardino, California







Brush fire contained after burning five homes in San Bernardino





A brush fire burned five structures in San Bernardino on Saturday, July 2, 2016. (KABC)





By Amy Powell
Saturday, July 02, 2016 11:50PM

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A fast-moving brush fire spread up a hillside and damaged five homes in San Bernardino before firefighters were able to get it under control.

Three of the homes were considered fully destroyed, while two were heavily damaged, fire officials said.

Two firefighters and one civilian suffered minor injuries related to smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion, said Jeff Allen, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.



Allen described the fire as: "Very fast, very steep slope and it's very hot today. It's physically exhausting."

After the blaze, one couple was still missing their dog, who had helped alert them to the flames.

"She's the one that actually got us out of the fire," said Gustavo Nava. "She told us something was going on. We had no idea. Once we fled, she took off and we haven't found her since."

Nava and his girlfriend are hoping their golden Chihuahua, Penny, just ran away and was not harmed in the fire.

The blaze, later dubbed the Kendall Fire, was reported near W. Kendall Drive and N. F Street on the south side of Little Mountain, officials said.

The incident began as a half-acre vegetation fire until it rapidly grew to about 8 to 10 acres spreading up a hillside to homes on the ridgeline, according to San Bernardino County fire officials.

By 4 p.m. it was considered about 50 percent contained with flames no longer visible, but firefighters continuing to douse the smoldering ruins of the homes.

The neighborhood was under evacuation orders Saturday afternoon. Evacuation orders were issued for 20 homes off Skylark Drive, and an evacuation center was set in place at 3900 North Severance.


Multiple units with 120 firefighters responded to the scene that later grew to a third-alarm fire, county fire officials said.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

Severe storms led to major flooding in Vineland, New Jersey



Severe Storms With Flooding, Hail, Wind Slam Region
By NBC10 Staff





Severe storms led to major flooding in Vineland, New Jersey Friday. NBC10's Drew Smith has the details. (Published Saturday, July 2, 2016)


Severe storms with heavy rain, flooding, strong, 60 mph winds and billiard-size hail slammed the area Friday. A Flash Flood Warning was in effect for central Cumberland County until 8:45 p.m. Emergency management in the county reported 5.5 inches of rain in under two hours and there were numerous rescues due to flooding in roads.

Heavy Rain, Hail, Flooding Hit Region

One of the hardest hit areas was Vineland, New Jersey. SkyForce10 was over the town early Friday evening and captured widespread flooding on streets in the area with vehicles halfway submerged in water.

SkyForce10 Over Flooding in VinelandSkyForce10 was over Vineland, New Jersey after severe thunderstorms caused flooding in the area Friday. (Published Friday, July 1, 2016)

"It got too crazy," said Jose Cruz, a Vineland resident. "Everything's wet!"

Vineland residents told NBC10 they've complained about the drainage system in their neighborhood which was overwhelmed by the water. One man was able to wade through the flood waters to rescue his dog. His chickens did not survive however.

Another Vineland resident, Joy Peterson, told NBC10 she was stranded when her vehicle got stuck in the flood.

"It felt like I was in a river or an ocean or something," she said. "It was just really, really devastating. It was really, really frightening."

Responding firefighters were able to push Peterson's vehicle free but she's now having trouble starting it.

"It was just too much," she said. "I've never seen it like this before."

Vineland residents are now cleaning up and hoping to get their yards in shape for events planned for the 4th of July Weekend.

The Flash Flood Warning was also in effect for Atlantic, Ocean and Burlington counties but was later lifted. Chester and New Castle counties were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:15 p.m. The rest of the viewing area was under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m. when the system finally moved out.

During the storms, one man recorded what may have been a funnel cloud in Millville, New Jersey. Officials have not yet confirmed whether a funnel cloud actually touched down however.

Possible Funnel Cloud in Millville 

A man recorded what may have been a funnel cloud on Route 49 in Millville, New Jersey Friday night. Officials have not yet confirmed however whether there was actually a funnel cloud. (Published Saturday, July 2, 2016)

On the bright side, conditions will be sunny and dry for the holiday weekend. However, we could see more rain south of Philadelphia on July 4th. Stay with NBC10.com for the latest weather updates.


Published at 12:45 AM EDT on Jul 2, 2016

OSHA has opened two investigations after a 17-year-old worker was critically injured at G.D. Roberts and Co., Inc. in Columbus when he was pinned in a machine while cleaning scrap from underneath a laser cutter



OSHA opens 2 investigations after teen critically injured at Wisconsin repair shop



CC Posted: Jun 30, 2016 4:50 PM EST Updated: Jun 30, 2016 4:50 PM EST




COLUMBUS (WKOW) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Wage and Hour Division have opened two investigations after a 17-year-old worker was critically injured Monday, June 27.

The teen was working at G.D. Roberts and Co., Inc. in Columbus when he was pinned in a machine while cleaning scrap from underneath a laser cutter.

Preliminary information shows the teen is employed as a general laborer and the night of the injury was taken to a hospital with life threatening injuries.

OSHA regulations require machines be rendered inoperable during service and maintenance.

Under the child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, a 17-year-old is not allowed to operate certain power driven machinery. DOL believes the worker had been employed at the machine shop for about a month.

“OSHA offers its condolences to the family of this injured young worker,” said Ann Grevenkamp, OSHA’s Area Director in Madison, whose office is investigating. “These types of preventable injuries occur far too often and are amongst the most frequently cited by OSHA. OSHA will conduct a thorough investigation to determine if violations of machine safety procedures contributed to this tragic incident.”

OSHA is investigating after two workers with The Sperry Brothes Inc were killed at the Occidental Chemical Corporation facility in Wichita, KS


OSHA opens investigation after two Wichita workers die in aerial lift collapse

Men were performing electrical maintenance at chemical facility
Posted: July 2, 2016 - 5:35pm


By Christian Gin
christian.gin@cjonline.com



The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Wichita office is investigating after two workers were killed Thursday, according to a news release.

Both men were employees of The Sperry Brothes Inc. and were performing electrical maintenance at the Occidental Chemical Corporation facility in Wichita. They were in an articulating boom basket nearly 55 feet above the ground when it collapsed and they fell.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the employees who lost their lives,” said Judy Freemon, OSHA’s area director in Wichita. “Aerial lifts are commonly used in construction and maintenance activities present various hazards to workers. OSHA will conduct a thorough investigation to see if any violations of OSHA standards contributed to this tragic incident.”

OSHA’s investigation will gather evidence, review company records and interview employees about the company’s recent history. There also will be reviews of any relevant documents.

Odor complaints in Porter Ranch, CA renewed fears in the Los Angeles neighborhood where a huge leak forced thousands from their homes


Porter Ranch's future after massive gas leak is in the eye of the beholder



A spate of odor complaints Wednesday in Porter Ranch -- and slightly elevated methane levels -- renewed fears in the Los Angeles neighborhood where a huge leak forced thousands from their homes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Alice Walton


In the hills above the 118 freeway, mansions are being built. Restaurants and grocery stores are packed. Cyclists pedal up and down wide-open streets.

On the surface, the community of Porter Ranch is returning to normal four months after the largest methane leak in American history was capped in the nearby Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field. The leak, which started in October, released more than 97,000 tons of methane into the atmosphere and was so massive it could be seen from space.

But fears about property values and future gas leaks have cast a shadow.


It’s never going to be the same, because now we know the full extent of the threat. — Porter Ranch resident Susan Gorman-Chang



“It’s never going to be the same, because now we know the full extent of the threat,” Susan Gorman-Chang said recently while campaigning for a seat on the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council.

Her family was among the thousands who evacuated when odorants from the methane leak began to cause headaches, nosebleeds and nausea.

The relocation program had cost Southern California Gas Co. nearly $465 million as of March 31, according to the most recent available company filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Part of that money went toward the cleanup of about 1,500 homes.

The program ended June 13, by which time most residents had returned to Porter Ranch — good news for retailers who saw a drop-off as a result of the four-month-long leak. According to spokeswoman Yolanda Stokes, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $879,000 in disaster-related loans for business owners in the community.

But questions remain about how the leak will affect property values in Porter Ranch, particularly in the long term.

Home sales dropped 44% in the three months after the leak was reported, according to data provided by RealtyTrac. However, the median sale price increased 5.7%, and the number of cash purchases jumped 50%.

“For lots of these folks, their homes are their biggest assets,” said attorney Paul Kiesel, one of the more than 80 lawyers representing clients in cases against Southern California Gas Co.

“There are residents who are uncertain about what the property values are going to be like in the future.”

The decision to buy in Porter Ranch will probably be similar to the decision to relocate, said Jamie House, who lives near the gas field and has seen traffic congestion pick up as neighbors return.

“I feel like there are going to be people who are like, ‘It’s fine. It’s not a big deal. There’s going to be something everywhere you go.’ And there’s going to be people who think this is a really huge deal,” House said.

Developers, however, seem optimistic that Porter Ranch’s location and schools will be enough to draw buyers.

A subdivision under construction, with properties going for as much as $1.8 million, has homes that boast city views and infinity swimming pools.
The gas leak is important, but it’s not the only problem we have. — Resident David Lasher



At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch Englander said the construction was a sign Porter Ranch was regaining its footing. Two days later, he hosted a welcome home party for families at Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park, which not long before had been coated in oil from the leak.

“It’s absolutely symbolic,” Englander said. “We are starting to get back to the great community we are.”

To members of the group Save Porter Ranch, however, it would be a better community without a natural gas storage field behind their homes.

“We’re not haters. We’re concerned citizens. We’re not fear mongering — we’re stating facts,” said Jennifer Milbauer, a recently elected member of the neighborhood council.

In part to address those fears, state Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) has introduced SB 887, which calls for improved safety oversight and maintenance of gas wells. Specifically, the bill would set minimum standards for inspections and require subsurface safety values.

“We continue to learn from this horrible, perhaps preventable, accident and we’re working very hard to minimize any risk to the residents,” she said.

That element of risk, however, is accepted by many people in Porter Ranch as a new normal.

“There are so many wells up here, it just seems like it’s probably a matter of time before it happens again,” resident Brad Gilmore said recently as he walked his dog in the park. “The fact is, it’ll happen again. There’s too many of them and they’re too old to hold up forever.”

The clearest sign that things are returning to the way they were before the leak may be residents’ complaints about quality-of-life issues.

“The gas leak is important, but it’s not the only problem we have,” said David Lasher, citing residential burglaries, illegal street racing, litter and overgrown trees — a problem that one City Hall staffer suggested Lasher should take care of himself. “I don’t pay my taxes so my councilman can tell me to become a volunteer tree trimmer,” Lasher said.

More than a dozen goats were killed after a herd wandered onto a road in Riverside County, CA and were hit by a car


15-20 goats killed after herd wanders onto Riverside County highway





About 15 to 20 goats were killed or had to be euthanized after a herd wandered onto a road in Riverside County and were hit by a car, officials said. (KABC)





By ABC7.com staff
Saturday, July 02, 2016 09:28PM
WINCHESTER, Calif. (KABC) -- More than a dozen goats were killed or had to be euthanized after a herd wandered onto a road in Riverside County and were hit by a car, officials said.

Around midnight Friday, about 250 goats wandered away from a nearby field, where they were used to clear brush, and blocked Highway 79 near Keller Road in Winchester.

A vehicle heading south on 79 collided with the herd. About 15 to 20 goats were killed in the collision or were injured and had to be euthanized with a shotgun by state Fish and Wildlife officers at the scene.

The front end of the vehicle was heavily damaged, but no human injuries were reported.

The highway remained closed for about 90 minutes while officials investigated the crash and rounded up the rest of the wandering herd off the road.

After the Fukushima disaster, radiation levels are decreasing rapidly except in the harbor area


Fukushima Radiation Levels Decreasing Rapidly


By MarEx 2016-07-02 18:32:52

An international review of the state of the oceans five years after the Fukushima disaster shows that radiation levels are decreasing rapidly except in the harbor area close to the nuclear plant itself where ongoing releases remain a concern.

The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, led to the loss of power and overheating at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants, causing extensive releases of radioactive gases and liquids. The radioactive fall-out on land is well-documented, but the distribution of radioactivity in the sea and then out to the wider oceans is much more difficult to quantify, due to variability in the ocean currents and greater difficulty in sampling.

Although the accident was one of the largest nuclear accidents and unprecedented for the ocean, the amount of radioactive cesium (137Cs) released was around two percent of that released by the fall out of nuclear weapons and 20 percent that released at Chernobyl. It was similar in magnitude to the intentional discharges of 137Cs from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant Sellafield in the U.K.

The main release of radioactive material from Fukushima was the initial venting to the atmosphere, but around 80 percent of the fallout fell on the ocean. Several radioisotopes were released, but the focus has been on 137Cs due to its relatively long, 30-year half-life. Cesium is very soluble, so it was rapidly dispersed in the ocean.

Most of the fallout is concentrated in the top few hundred meters of the sea. At its peak in 2011, 137Cs levels were tens of millions of times higher than prior to the accident. Over time, and with distance from Japan, levels have decreased significantly. By 2014, the 137Cs recorded 2,000 kilometers North of Hawaii was equivalent to around six times that remaining from fallout from atmospheric nuclear tests from the 1960's, and about three times higher than prior fallout levels along the west coast of North America.

It is likely that maximum radiation levels will be attained off the North American coast in the 2015-16 period, before declining to around the level associated with background nuclear weapon testing by 2020.

Sea-floor sediments contain less than one percent of the 137Cs released by the incident, although sea-floor contamination is still high close to the source at Fukushima.

In 2011, around half the fish samples in coastal waters off Fukushima had radioactive cesium levels above the Japanese limit, but by 2015 this dropped to less than one percent above the limit. However, high levels are still found in fish around the port. Generally, with the exception of species close to the site, there seem to be little long-term measurable effects on marine life, states the report.

The radiation risk to human life is comparatively modest in comparison to the 15,000 lives that were lost as a result to the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. So far, there have been no direct radiation deaths. The most exposed evacuees received a total dose that would be expected to increase their lifetime fatal cancer risk from 24 percent to 24.4 percent. However, there were still over 100,000 evacuees from the Fukushima area, and many industries such as fishing and tourism have been badly hit.

Lead author, Dr Ken Buesseler from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the U.S., said: "Overall, the results show a trend of decreasing radiation risk in oceans themselves and to marine life. This is generally true, except for the harbor at Fukushima nuclear power plant. The highest remaining oceanic contamination remains in seafloor sediments off the coast of Japan.

“Despite this, we are still concerned that there is little support to continue assessments as time goes by, in particular from the U.S. federal agencies which have not supported any ocean studies. This is not good, as public concern is ongoing, and we can learn a lot even when levels go down in the environment and are no longer of immediate health concern.”

The report was produced by the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research Working Group. The report was presented at the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference in Japan. The review paper is published in Annual Review of Marine Science.

General cargo vessel WIDOR allided with docked bulk carrier IONIC HALO in Brake port, Germany


WIDOR allided with IONIC HALO, Brake

July 2, 2016 at 12:54 by Mikhail Voytenko


General cargo vessel WIDOR allided with docked bulk carrier IONIC HALO in the afternoon June 29, while maneuvering in Brake port, Germany. Master of WIDOR understood to underestimate current strength. WIDOR contacted bulk carrier’s stern by portside.  


IONIC HALO suffered scratches, while WIDOR suffered cargo holds hatches damages, deck gantry crane was also damaged with ensuing hydraulic oil leak. WIDOR was allowed to resume sailing after hatches were fixed.

a fire broke out aboard Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s BLACK WATCH, damaging 3 engines


Cruise ship BLACK WATCH fire

July 2, 2016 at 13:06 by Mikhail Voytenko


According to the Cruise Capital website in the U.K., "a fire broke out aboard Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s BLACK WATCH in the morning July 1 as the ship made its way to Madeira." The fire, which started in the auxiliary engine room reportedly damaged three engines used to generate power onboard the cruise ship.


Cruise Capital said that the fire was extinguished by the crew. The site stated that "the four main engines are undamaged by the fire, but further investigations will need to be undertaken, before an attempt to restart them later today. Repairs are expected to be made en-route to Madeira."
Cruise Law News cruiselawnews.com

General cargo vessel ANASTASIA ran aground on eastern coast of small island of Stroggili, near eastern tip of Euboea island, Greece, Aegean sea


General cargo vessel ANASTASIA grounding

July 3, 2016 at 10:51 by Mikhail Voytenko


General cargo vessel ANASTASIA ran aground at around 0800 LT July 3 on eastern coast of small island of Stroggili, near eastern tip of Euboea island, Greece, Aegean sea. Vessel departed from Psachna port, Euboea, bound for Thessaloniki. Reportedly there’s a breach in hull, maybe more than one. Vessel’s in ballast. 


Judging from AIS track, watch on bridge was either sleeping or absent – vessel sailed straight on the island. On a photo grounded ANASTASIA. More photos http://www.newsbeast.gr/greece/arthro/2295545/fotografies-apo-to-plio-pou-karfothike-sti-strongili

General cargo vessel IBRAHIM BEY suffered engine failure early in the morning July 3 in Dardanelles


General cargo vessel IBRAHIM BEY troubled in Dardanelles

July 3, 2016 at 11:18 by Mikhail Voytenko


General cargo vessel IBRAHIM BEY suffered engine failure early in the morning July 3 in Dardanelles, while proceeding in northern direction, en route from Izmir Turkey to Galati Romania. 


Vessel was brought to anchor north of Canakkale, resumed sailing several hours later, understood after fixing the problem. At 1100 UTC July 3 vessel was under way, still transiting Dardanelles. 

Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation Services. Construction, Investigation, Remediation and Forensic Expert Engineers


Construction Defects, Construction Claims, Engineering, Property & Casualty Investigations, Assessment, Site Investigation, Remediation, Litigation and Indoor-Air Expert Engineers

Bill Stephan, PhD, PE, CIH, CHMM, JD, MBA
Principal Engineer

P.O. Box 520
Tenafly, New Jersey 07670-0520
Phone: (973) 897-8162
Fax: (973) 810-0440



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Firm Overview


The engineering and forensic firm of Metropolitan Forensics and Consulting Engineering and Environmental Services was established for the purpose of providing a high value service to the insurance industry and to the insured companies or individuals. Our founding principal (Bill Stephan) is a licensed professional engineer in several states, including, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.



We specialize in the in-situ remediation of petroleum and chlorinated spills, the defense of liability claims, the investigation and defense of first or third party insurance claims and the handling of subrogation claims.  We are also experts on oil and gas energy sector issues (design, investigations, construction oversight), renewable energy sector (wind turbines, solar panels, biofuels, etc), vapor intrusion evaluation, vapor phase and transport and in design on vapor mitigation systems.  Additionally, we offer forensic engineering services, including age-dating of contaminant releases, construction defects, oversight, evaluation of remedial alternatives, sub-slab ventilation system design and installation.  The list of our core services is:



  • Cause and Origin Investigations
  • Construction Failure Analysis (Residential, Industrial and Commercial)
  • Structural Integrity Evaluation
  • Site Investigation
  • Tank removals and tank installations; licensed and insured to perform entire UST work
  • In-Situ Remediation of Soil and Groundwater
  • Vapor intrusion, indoor air evaluation and mitigation
  • Causation
  • Forensic Investigations (age-dating)
  • Oversight
  • Review of Remedial Action Work Plans
  • Reserve Estimation
  • Cost Allocation
  • RAWP Preparation
  • Site Remediation
  • Cleanup Level Development and Negotiation
  • Subrogation
  • Expert Witness/Litigation Support
  • Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) Services
  • Construction Claims (Delay, Differing Site Conditions, Loss of Productivity, Acceleration, and others)

 






































Additional Specialty Service Areas

Age Dating
Boilers & Burners
Bridges
Building Codes
Building Inspections


Construction Accident
   Reconstruction
Construction Defects
Construction Delay Claims

Construction Surety Claims
Construction Disputes
Construction Differing Condition Claims
Construction Oversight
Construction Management
Construction Acceleration Claims

Construction Failures
Construction Injuries
Contractor Performance Issues
Corrosion


Defective Designs
Defective Roadway Design
   Evaluations


Earthquake
Electrical Accidents/Injuries
Electrical Equipment Failures
Electrical Fires
Elevators, Escalators
   & Conveyors
Embedded Software Hazards
   & Analysis
Equipment Failures
Errors and Omissions
Explosions

Failure Analysis
Fire
Fire Codes
Fire Protection Systems
Fire Suppression Systems

Flood Damage Assessment

Foundation Systems

Gas Systems

Hailstorm damage

Heating & Ventilation Systems
Heavy Construction
Highway/Roadway Design
Human Factors


Indoor Air Quality
Laboratory Services
Ladders, Scaffolding Falls
   & Failures
Lightning

Mechanical Defect Evaluations
Metallurgical Age Dating
Mold Causation
Natural Disasters/Weather
   Related Issues
Nuclear Energy
Occupational Hazards
   & Illness

Piping
Playground Equipment Injuries
Plumbing
Product Failures
Roofing Problems & Failures
Safety Codes
Safety & Human Factors
   Engineering
Scalding
Scene Mapping and Photographs
Sick Building Syndrome
Sports Equipment Injuries
Standardized Codes
Steam Systems
Subrogation Issues


Transportation Issues
Trips, Slips & Falls
Underground Storage Tanks
Utilities Expertise
Vibration
Water Damage
Windstorm



Mission Statement


Our mission is to work as an extension of our clients to expeditiously achieve the most economically favorable resolution of claims on their behalf and on behalf of their insured. We have developed and will continue to create new solutions to the technical problems and issues which are facing the insurance industry and the insureds today.  

Metropolitan provides forensic engineering work (age-dating or fingerprinting), site remediation, auditing, cost control and litigation support services to insurance carriers, their insureds and to private or public companies.  In its risk management role, examines, manages and audits environmental claims to ensure that assessment and remediation services provided to both carriers and policy holders are reasonable and necessary, properly rendered and appropriately charged. 



In its litigation support role, Metropolitan assists carriers and their counsel to ensure that litigious disputes are resolved fairly and reimbursement benefits are provided when appropriate.  The corporations service area includes the entire United States, with our corporate office located in Northern New Jersey.  The Firm's professional staff also travels regularly throughout the United States on assignment.


Forensics at Metropolitan


There are many issues associated with disputes over responsibility for cleanup. Who, what, when, where, and how chemicals were released can be investigated. The tools of forensic investigation include mathematical models, statistical models, fate and transport calculations, chromatography, lead isotope analyses, time of travel assessments, library search site characterization, tracer additives, and recently developed software applications.



Effective forensic project management should include an evaluation of multiple forensic tools based on site specific circumstances. The process of evaluation and the ultimate selection of the forensic tool are critical to a successful outcome. When project budgets allow, combining forensic methods for corroborative evidence can substantially strengthen your client’s position in an effort to prevent or support litigation. The effective forensic consultant must be well acquainted with an ever expanding list of analytical methods, environmental regulations, assessment procedures and remedial technologies.



The forensic field is one that utilizes a wide range of scientific tools to identify and characterize complex adverse environmental events. Some of the scientific disciplines involved in forensics include engineering principles (biological, physical and chemical), hydrology, lithology, geology, site history, site practices, mathematics, and statistics. These areas may be combined with technologies such as respiratory analyses, chromatography/mass spectrometry and chemical fingerprinting methods to answer complex questions with the ultimate goal of establishing responsibility for a particular event. Accurate, defensible forensic analyses are an essential component of any strategy that attempts to resolve the extent of the insurer or insured client responsibilities in the cleanup of contaminants.


Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our forensic services.



Property Damage Services at Metropolitan

Metropolitan assists property owners, claims professionals, businesses, and attorneys in   the assessment of the cause & origin (C&O), extent of damage and required restoration after pipe bursts, settlements, manufacturing and construction failures, fire, flood, earthquake, or storm damage.  Our teams of engineers have extensive experience in the many systems that make up a building including structural, mechanical and electrical systems.   We also have the necessary background to evaluate property damage to items such as communications towers or solar panels. We can help determine alternative, appropriate, and cost effective solutions for repair or restoration of any damaged property, both commercial and residential. 

Providing Competent, Expert and Objective Investigative Engineering and Consulting Services.

Our experts are multi-skilled, competent, and objective professionals who apply their analytical and common sense skills to reconstruct, determine the root cause, and document the events that give rise to property, casualty, and liability claims.  Thorough investigations and detailed measurements/research help us distinguish between pre-existing conditions and sudden and accidental losses.



 






























Our investigations are:

·         Comprehensive & Accurate

·         Legible & Easy to Understand

·         Timely Performed

·         Delivered Quickly

·         Cost Effective

·         Clear & Concise

·         Developed by Professionals

·         Dependable

·         Our own uniform reporting system saves time and money.


Our Fast Track Investigation and Uniform Format Reporting systems allow us to conduct and deliver a comprehensive response to the assigned claim.  In most cases, we will obtain findings based on a site visit, visual observations, photographs, interviews, and field measurements.  Further investigations and testing will be provided upon request and approval by the client.



Forensic Investigation of Property Damage Claims

Metropolitan Consulting, Engineering & Forensics understands your need to complete a claim investigation accurately and efficiently as possible.  Whether it is accident reconstruction, damage due to environmental forces such as wind, water, hail, snow, tornado, etc.; fire origin & cause investigation or any other claim, the engineers at Metropolitan understand both you and your client want to resolve the claim.  The analysis you receive from Metropolitan will be accurate and complete, giving you the information needed in the claim adjustment and analysis.

Our services have extended beyond the forensic analysis phase into the remediation and repair phase of many large loss claims.  Upon the completion of the cause and origin (C&O) investigation, Metropolitan can provide our clients with complete working drawings and specifications needed to repair or rebuilt damaged buildings or other structures.  Metropolitan Consulting & Engineering’ staff possesses many-many years of experience in rehabilitation design, construction management, and project oversight to ensure the loss is restored in a timely and cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality.  Building code knowledge allows us to identify possible code upgrades as needed.  Metropolitan understands constructability and realizes making an insured whole goes beyond forensic investigation and design. We pride ourselves in providing practical solutions contractors can understand and follow.

At the forefront of available technology, we provide professionals and staff capable of handling a variety of engineering evaluations.  Our reports are clear, concise, complete and efficiently produced.  Our engineering objectives are achieved in an ethical manner consistent with the traditions and character of engineering professionals.

Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our property damage services.


Extensive Experience helping Sureties

Metropolitan also has extensive experience helping sureties fulfill their bond obligations resolve disputes after a contractor has defaulted.  This work includes the evaluation of contractor bid pricing, evaluation of the contractor’s ability to perform work, risk assessment, evaluation of termination, construction completion services, claim and litigation support services, loss recovery services, evaluation of payment bond claims, negotiation and settlement of payment bond claims, and construction defects investigation services.  Metropolitan has provided these services for commercial, development, educational, and assisted living projects.


Construction is a business fraught with risk.  Disputes over even the smallest of issues can quickly escalate, with crippling consequences to the project and the parties.  Over the years, the construction industry has developed various methods of contractually allocating the risk of project delay and disruption.  Some of these methods include liquidated damages provisions, "no damages for delay" clauses, mutual waivers of consequential damages, provisions that limit liability, claims notice provisions, and provisions addressing responsibility for the adequacy of the construction plans and specifications.  Parties frequently litigate the sufficiency of these risk-shifting efforts in conjunction with the underlying merits of delay and disruption disputes.
Construction Claims & Disputes
The most frequently encountered claims include:
1.            Construction Delay Claims
2.            Disruption and Loss of Labor Productivity Claims
3.            Design and Construction Defect Claims
4.            Force Majeure Claims
5.            Acceleration or Compression of the Schedule Claims
6.            Suspension, Termination and Default Claims
7.            Differing Site Conditions Claims
8.            Change Order and Extra Work Claims
9.            Cost Overrun Claims
10.         Unacceptable Workmanship or Substituted Material Claims
11.         Non-payment Claims (stop notice (or Notice to Withhold) claims, mechanics’ lien (only for private construction projects) and payment bond claims)



Forensic Engineering Experience Case Studies


Metropolitan staff has developed and utilized scientific methods to assist clients in a variety of ways related to their claim issues. The following is a partial list of such projects:

  • Provided expert witness services for plaintiff seeking remediation of contaminated groundwater that caused indoor air inhalation problems;
  • Testified that engineering and scientific evidence was improperly collected and analyzed and was inadequate to show the age of the release;
  • Origin and cause of retaining wall failures.  
  • Lightning damage to structures or electrical systems and equipment
  • Roof failure or collapse as a result of accumulated load, additional weight and snow drift at hundreds of commercial and residential properties.
  • Demonstrated that solvents in groundwater at client's property originated from off-site dry-cleaner and that client's site actually provided remediation for the off-site release of dry cleaning solvent;
  • Expert witness for property owner impacted by industrial waste disposal from industrial manufacturer;
  • Demonstrated that environmental analysis by a previous consultant for a manufacturing site was inadequate; as a result, the lender's concerns were alleviated and financing proceeded;
  • Chemical "age-dating" and contaminant transport analyses of petroleum in groundwater at a gas station showed that contaminants originated from other parties;
  • Age-dated petroleum release at a former gas station to show that the previous owner of the gas station caused groundwater contamination;
  • Age-dated petroleum releases at an industrial facility to show that the on-site plume was the result of an off-site source;
  • Prepared age-dating reports for over one-hundred residential fuel oil spills;
  • Assisted insurance companies attorneys in defending subrogation claims; was able to demonstrate that the forensic data collected by the first party consultant were collected and analyzed using invalid methods;
  • Demonstrated that structural damage to a residence was from a source other than the alleged high lake level
  • Collected evidence (for the primary responsible party) that identified other responsible parties to share in the cost of a Superfund cleanup;
  • Review of the site data at a bulk petroleum facility indicated that the site releases were not the result of regular oil transfer operations and that they were caused by the negligent actions of the insured’s agents; the case was settled in favor of the insurance company;
  • Was able to demonstrate that the majority of the removal actions at petroleum release sites were neither reasonable nor necessary; as a result of our opinion, the insurance client settled the claim in favorable terms;
  • At several drycleaner sites we were able to demonstrate that the age of the release was much earlier than the parties originally believed; as a result, the insurance client settled the claim at a fraction of the alleged liability;
  • We performed numerous flood and wind damage assessments at commercial and residential properties.
Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our forensic engineering services.




Site Remediation Services


 Characterizing and remediating contaminated sites involve some of the most complex and difficult issues for environmental lawyers and their clients. Problem areas include responding to regulators; negotiating enforcement settlements; negotiating or litigating cost allocation and recovery claims; working with the insured or insurer client, lawyers and regulators to develop efficient, cost-effective remediation approaches; and selling, buying, or developing contaminated properties.



Metropolitan staff has developed and applied an innovative approach to the use of sodium persulfate for the sequential in-situ treatment of subsurface contaminants through chemical oxidation followed by enhanced biological degradation through sulfate reduction. This approach has broad applicability to a wide range of contaminants, and shows strong cost-saving benefits through reducing the initial volume of chemical oxidant necessary and enhancing the in-situ biological degradation of contaminants.



Through proper subsurface geochemical characterization and chemical dosing design, the approach focuses on utilizing the oxidant for immediate mass reduction at the source area, followed by degradation or polishing of the residual contamination using sulfate reducing bacteria.  Depending upon the oxidant activation method, this approach is applicable to petroleum hydrocarbons including both volatiles and PAHs, chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) including chlorinated ethene, ethane and methane groups, as well as PCBs.


Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our Site Remediation Services.





Vapor Intrusion and Indoor-Air Studies


Vapor intrusion has received increased attention over the last few years near contaminated sites because some contaminants have the potential to migrate into nearby buildings and negatively affect indoor air quality. The accumulation of these volatile vapors in buildings can result in significant safety and health concerns.
To properly evaluate vapor intrusion a thorough evaluation of the building's ventilation system and subsurface conditions needs to be conducted by a knowledgeable professional in accordance with state and federal established procedures. 
The evaluation process typically includes a thorough building chemical inventory, the advancement of soil gas probes and the collection of soil gas samples. When indoor air quality problems are identified they can normally be resolved through the modification/installation of a properly designed ventilation system.
Metropolitan is well experienced with U.S. EPA and State vapor intrusion investigation techniques. We have completed numerous vapor intrusion and indoor air quality studies at commercial and residential properties. We have the experience to identify and resolve indoor vapor intrusion problems and the practical know-how to resolve indoor quality issues in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our Vapor Intrusion and Indoor Air Studies.




Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation Services.


Construction, Investigation, Remediation and Forensic Expert  Engineers

P.O. Box 520

Tenafly, New Jersey 07670-0520

Ph.: (973) 897-8162

Fax: (973) 810-0440



Contact: Dr. Bill N. Stephan, PhD, PE, JD, CIH, MBA, CHMM






Insurance claim examiners, insureds, insurers, insurance adjusters and risk managers use Metropolitan for determining cause, evaluating the extent of damage, determining the age of the release, separating unrelated damage, analyzing loss scopes and managing restoration data, determining costs to repair, restore or replace, and preparing for insurance appraisals.



Attorneys call on Metropolitan for help when preparing for Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution such as arbitration and mediation