A US pilot who marshalled a runaway container ship for nearly 40 km beneath a bridge and around five major turns at double the usual speed has been honoured after his actions avoided serious damage.

Christopher Thornton was working on board an MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel when it was stuck in full ahead at between 14 knots and 17 knots (26 km/h to 31.5 km/h) at Charleston Harbour, South Carolina, on 5 June.

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Thornton took the 6,648-teu MSC Michigan VII (built 2000) out of the harbour and underneath an eight-lane road bridge as the Coast Guard cleared the area of vessels to prevent a possible collision.

The loss of control prompted officials to close a beach and stop road traffic from going on to the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge while Thornton took the ship out to sea.

The vessel’s crew were later able to regain control of the engines and anchored the ship outside of the harbour.

“Pilot Thornton’s efforts were nothing short of miraculous and directly saved lives, property and the marine environment”, according to a citation for the US Coast Guard public service award.

Two recreational boaters were injured and some damage was caused by the ship’s wake. Carver Maritime, which operates a breakbulk and project cargo terminal at Charleston, alleged that the wake pushed another ship into its pier, causing damage.

The incident happened less than three months after a bridge was struck and brought down in Baltimore by the Maersk-chartered 9,962-teu container ship Dali (built 2015) when it lost power and steering.

Presenting the award, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Douglas Schofield said Thornton’s piloting skills while keeping port authorities informed were “vital in protecting the safety of both property and people in and around the greater Charleston waterways”.

The MSC Michigan VII remains in Charleston. The Coast Guard is investigating the loss of control.

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