Federal authorities have taken significant steps following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which killed six workers and severely disrupted traffic at the Port of Baltimore. On Saturday morning, agents from the FBI, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, and Coast Guard Investigative Services boarded the Maersk Saltoro, a vessel managed by Synergy Marine Group, the same firm overseeing the cargo ship involved in the bridge disaster.
The FBI confirmed their presence on the Maersk Saltoro to CBS News and stated they were conducting "court-authorized law enforcement activity." Details surrounding the inspection remain sparse as officials did not comment beyond the confirmation of their actions. This occurs shortly after the U.S. Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit against Grace Ocean Private Ltd., the owner of the vessel Dali, and its manager Synergy Marine Group, accusing them of negligence.
The lawsuit claims the owner and ship manager acted recklessly, ignoring well-known electrical issues with the Dali, which lost power just before colliding with the bridge on March 26, 2024. This catastrophic event led to the deaths of six construction workers repairing the bridge at the time and extensive damage to public infrastructure, resulting in commercial shipping disruptions.
Darrell Wilson, the spokesperson for Grace Ocean, expressed their intent to defend against the lawsuit, maintaining their position and clarifying their anticipation of a court day to clarify the record. The Justice Department’s claim seeks to recover more than $100 million to cover the governmental costs of responding to the disaster.
The preliminary reports by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have played a pivotal role. The reports indicated multiple failures, including mechanical and electrical issues on the Dali, which had been described as “jury-rigged” and improperly maintained. The power outage occurred just moments before the ship colliding with the bridge, which caused a section of the structure to collapse.
On the night of the incident, the Dali was departing from the Baltimore Harbor, and the captain had assured authorities of the ship's operational capability when they exchanged pilot control. Just five minutes after the crew reported being about three ship lengths from the bridge, the vessel's electrical system failed, resulting in the crew losing control. The ship struck the bridge at approximately 7.5 miles per hour.
The Dali, measuring 947 feet long, had roughly 4,680 containers aboard at the time. Of those, nearly 60 were categorized as hazardous, with the NTSB identifying 14 containers potentially damaged during the collapse.
Authorities are currently investigating whether the crew had knowledge of the impending mechanical failures prior to their departure from the port, which could indicate gross negligence. This incident has sparked renewed scrutiny over infrastructure management and maritime safety regulations.
Reports indicated the Dali was set to continue its voyage to Sri Lanka at the time of the incident, and since then, the recovery and clean-up from the bridge collapse have taken precedence, leading to concerns over infrastructure safety across the state. Maryland transportation officials have estimated the rebuilding project could take until 2028 and cost between $1.7 and $1.9 billion. This also reflects the massive public and governmental interest and necessity for safer navigation and infrastructure practices.
Families of the deceased workers have initiated legal actions against Grace Ocean, reflecting the broader ramifications of this tragic event. The investigations seek not just accountability but also aim to instigate regulatory changes ensuring such incidents are prevented from reoccurring.
The aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse emphasizes the importance of stringent safety protocols and accountability within maritime operations. While the recovery from such incidents can take years, it is the duty of regulatory bodies to prioritize safety and preventive measures effectively to mitigate the risks involved in coastal and navigational activities.
With the investigations still underway, hope remains for systemic changes to avoid future tragedies, underscoring the intertwined nature of infrastructure reliability, maritime safety, and worker protection.
