Additional Coverage:
- Baltimore officials accused the ship that crashed into the Key Bridge of being ‘unseaworthy’ and leaving port even though its alarms had already gone off (businessinsider.com)
The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has taken a dramatic turn as city officials direct blame towards the vessel implicated in the incident, the Dali, along with its owner and managing operators. Recent legal documents have surfaced, accusing the ship of embarking from port despite active alarms and pointing to serious lapses in the crew’s adherence to standard navigation protocols, as well as a lack of proper training.
The city’s legal stance is aggressively challenging a petition from the parties responsible for the Dali, which seeks to limit their liability to $43.6 million. The allegations extend to claims of negligence and gross mismanagement on the part of Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean, the entities behind the Dali.
The catastrophe unfolded when the Dali, a colossal 984-foot ship, collided with a support pillar of the Key Bridge, precipitating its disastrous collapse into the Patapsco River. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of six construction workers and has wrought significant disruption on Baltimore’s economic wellbeing and the functionality of its port operations.
Compounding the tragedy, it has been revealed that the Dali experienced a power failure prior to the collision, with its crew issuing a mayday call in the moments leading up to the impact. This has cast further scrutiny on the vessel’s operational standards and the competence of those aboard.
The incident’s ramifications extend beyond its immediate destruction, prompting an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the cause, alongside an FBI criminal investigation focusing on the conduct of the Dali’s crew. In response to the profound impact on the community and the infrastructure of Baltimore, President Biden has pledged federal funding towards the reconstruction of the Key Bridge, signaling a commitment to aid in the city’s recovery from this grievous event.
As these investigations continue, the city of Baltimore and the maritime community await answers and accountability for a disaster that has deeply scarred the landscape and the hearts of those affected.