Board pursues case against Bay Bridge pilot
State board votes to pursue revocation or suspension of license of pilot in Bay Bridge strike
File - In this Jan. 7, 2013 file photo provided by the Coast Guard, damage is seen to the tanker Overseas Reymar following a collision with tower six of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. A state panel is recommending that the pilot of the empty oil tanker that sideswiped the bridge have his license suspended or revoked. The recommendation is contained in a report released Thursday April 4, 2013 by the California Board of Pilot Commissioners Incident Review Committee.(AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard, Petty Officer 2nd Class Pamela J. Boehland, File)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A state board has voted to pursue license revocation or suspension for the pilot of an empty oil tanker that sideswiped the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
The California Board of Pilot Commissioners made the decision on Thursday after its Incident Review Committee recommended the disciplinary action against pilot Guy Kleess.
The case now goes before an administrative law judge who can decide to revoke or suspend Kleess's license or reject the board's decision.
Kleess was in control of the 752-foot Overseas Reymar on Jan. 7 when the oil tanker hit a western-span tower of the bridge.
The committee concluded Kleess made a risky course change and committed misconduct.
The tower's wooden fenders were damaged, but no oil was spilled and there were no injuries.
