Baltimore Bridge Collapse Investigation
An inquiry into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, is underway to determine the causes behind a cargo ship losing power and colliding with the bridge.
Events Leading to the Collision
- Approximately an hour into the ship’s journey, the lights on the Dali container ship started flickering.
- The vessel encountered power problems and a loss of propulsion before colliding with the bridge.
- The crew reported issues with steering power and electronics, along with a smell of burned fuel in the engine room.
- The ship was unable to deploy anchors in time to prevent drifting, leading to a mayday call before the collision.
Potential Causes of the Blackout
Blackouts at sea pose significant safety hazards for ships, with fuel contamination being a potential cause affecting the vessel’s power generators.
Investigation and Inspection Details
The investigation will evaluate the ship’s operations, safety history, as well as those of its owner and operator. Efforts will be made to retrieve recorders from the vessel to understand the events leading up to the collision.
Inspection records revealed that the ship had undergone multiple port state control inspections, with documented deficiencies in hull damage and propulsion machinery.
Operational Information
The Dali ship, constructed in 2015, departed from the Port of Baltimore carrying cargo for A.P. Moller-Maersk. Operated by Synergy Marine Group, the vessel had two pilots and 22 crew members from India on board at the time of the collision.
Financial Implications
Insurance experts predict that the bridge collapse will result in significant insurance claims covering various aspects such as bridge replacement costs, business losses, and individual compensation claims.
