Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked

BALTIMORE — The massive container ship that caused the deadly collapse of a Baltimore bridge had apparent electrical problems before leaving port but left anyway, according to someone familiar with the situation, hours after the FBI announced that it was investigating whether any laws had been broken.

The Dali left Baltimore’s dock early on March 26, packed with cargo bound for Sri Lanka, when it collided with one of the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s supports, causing the bridge to fall into the Patapsco River and killing six roadwork crew members. Three of their bodies were recovered.

According to someone familiar with the circumstances, the Dali had clear electrical faults before leaving the port. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss, stated that alarms went out on the ship’s refrigerated containers while it was still stopped in Baltimore, signaling an inconsistent power supply.

Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked, AP Source Says

According to the source, the ship’s crew was aware of the difficulties and stated that they would be rectified.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s probe will include determining whether the ship had power issues before embarking on its journey.

Last Monday, Board Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the probe focuses on the ship’s electrical system in general. Videos of the ship’s lights turning off and then coming back on show that there were power issues just before the accident.

Homendy stated that the information obtained from the vessel’s voyage data recorder is rudimentary, “so that information in the engine room will help us tremendously.”

According to a third source acquainted with the situation, the FBI is initiating a criminal investigation into the bridge collapse, focusing on the circumstances leading up to it and whether all federal laws were followed. The individual was not authorized to disclose details of the inquiry publicly and talked with the AP on the condition of anonymity.

According to a statement, FBI agents were aboard the cargo ship on Monday carrying out court-authorized law enforcement activities. The Washington Post was the first to report on the investigation, and the statement made no further explanations or comments.

Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Scott announced a cooperation with two law firms on Monday to “launch legal action to hold the wrongdoers responsible” and limit harm to Baltimore residents. He said the city must act promptly to safeguard its interests.

Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked, AP Source Says

Scott stated that the city “will take decisive action to hold accountable all entities responsible for the Key Bridge tragedy,” including the owner, operator, and manufacturer of the cargo ship Dali. The ship began its journey approximately a half-hour before losing power and straying off course.

The Dali is managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., both of which are from Singapore. Maersk, the Danish shipping firm, chartered the Dali.

Synergy and Grace Ocean filed a court petition shortly after the collapse to restrict their legal exposure – a standard practice in situations involving US maritime law. Their joint complaint attempts to limit the firms’ liability to approximately $43.6 million. It estimates that the vessel is worth up to $90 million and owes more than $1.1 million in freight income. The estimate excludes two significant expenses: at least $28 million in repair charges and $19.5 million in salvage costs.

“Due to the gravity of the incident, various government agencies are conducting investigations, and we are fully cooperating,” Synergy spokesperson Darrell Wilson said in a statement Monday. “Out of respect for these investigations and any future legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

The firms filed their petition using a provision of an 1851 maritime statute that permits them to restrict their obligation to the worth of the vessel’s remnants following a tragedy.

Attorneys representing some of the deceased and a worker who survived the fall claimed Monday that the ship’s owners and managers are using an “archaic law” to safeguard their assets.

“Imagine telling that to a grieving family…” “While they’re planning a funeral, the owner of the boat is in court,” attorney L. Chris Stewart said at a news conference in Baltimore.

Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked, AP Source Says

The road crew had “absolutely zero warning” in the moments before the collapse, Stewart said, even though a last-minute mayday call from the ship’s pilot allowed adjacent police officers to block vehicles from attempting to cross the bridge. Three workers’ bodies remain missing as crews continue the risky operation of extracting big slabs of steel from the river.

Julio Cervantes, who survived plunging from the bridge, narrowly avoided drowning by rolling down the window of his work vehicle and struggling through the chilly water despite his inability to swim, according to attorneys. He clung to the wreckage until he was rescued.

“This was all preventable,” Stewart stated. “That is why we were brought in to investigate and find out what has happened and give these families a voice.”

The probes come days after more than two dozen river barges broke loose and collided with a closed span in Pittsburgh, raising fears about the safety of thousands of bridges around the country.

SOURCE – (AP)