Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked, Source Says
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 9 months ago on
April 15, 2024

The container ship that caused a deadly bridge collapse in Baltimore had electrical issues before it left port, according to a source. (AP/WJLA)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BALTIMORE — The massive container ship that caused the deadly collapse of a Baltimore bridge experienced apparent electrical issues before it left port, someone with knowledge of the situation said on Monday, hours after the FBI said it was investigating whether any laws might have been broken.

The Dali left Baltimore’s port early on March 26 laden with cargo destined for Sri Lanka when it struck one of the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s supports, causing the span to collapse into the Patapsco River and sending six members of a roadwork crew plummeting to their deaths. Three of their bodies have been recovered.

The Dali experienced apparent electrical issues before leaving port, according to someone with knowledge of the situation. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to comment, said alarms went off on the ship’s refrigerated containers while it was still docked in Baltimore, likely indicating an inconsistent power supply.

The ship’s crew was aware of the issues and indicated they would be addressed, according to the person.

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board have said their investigation will include an inquiry into whether the ship experienced power issues before starting its voyage.

Focus of the Investigation

Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said last week that the investigation is focused on the ship’s electrical system generally. The ship experienced power issues moments before the crash, as is evident in videos that show its lights going out and coming back on.

Homendy said information gleaned from the vessel’s voyage data recorder is relatively basic, “so that information in the engine room will help us tremendously.”

The FBI said Monday that it is conducting a criminal investigation into the bridge collapse that is focused on the circumstances leading up to it and whether all federal laws were followed, according to a different person familiar with the matter. The person wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.

FBI agents were aboard the cargo ship on Monday conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity, the agency said in a statement. It didn’t elaborate and said it wouldn’t comment further on the investigation, which was first reported by The Washington Post.

Legal Action and Accountability

Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Scott issued a statement Monday announcing a partnership with two law firms to “launch legal action to hold the wrongdoers responsible” and mitigate harm to the people of Baltimore.

Scott said the city “will take decisive action to hold responsible all entities accountable for the Key Bridge tragedy, including the owner, charterer, manager/operator, and the manufacturer of the M/V Dali, as well as any other potentially liable third parties.”

He said with the ship’s owner already seeking to limit the company’s liability, the city needs to act quickly to protect its own interests.

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

“Due to the magnitude of the incident, there are various government agencies conducting investigations, in which we are fully participating,” Synergy Marine 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 investigation comes amid concerns about the safety of thousands of U.S. bridges and days after more than two dozen river barges broke loose and struck a closed span in Pittsburgh.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Djokovic Quits Mid-Match and Walks Off to Boos, Putting Zverev in Australian Open Final vs. Sinner

DON'T MISS

Hamas Names 4 Hostages It Plans to Release on Saturday in Latest Gaza Ceasefire Exchange

DON'T MISS

US Home Sales in 2024 Fall to Lowest Level in Nearly 30 Years as Prices, and Mortgages, Soar

DON'T MISS

Judge Bars Oath Keepers Founder Rhodes from Entering Washington Without Court’s Permission

DON'T MISS

AG Bonta Sues Tulare Over Cold Storage Project. Are State Minimums Not Enough?

DON'T MISS

Reality TV Couple Sues Los Angeles After Losing Home in Fires

DON'T MISS

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Hangs Near Its Record as It Heads for a 2nd Straight Winning Week

DON'T MISS

Trump Targets California Water Policy as He Prepares to Tour LA Fire Damage

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Traffic Stop on I-5 Leads to $163K Fentanyl Bust

DON'T MISS

Critically Acclaimed Film ‘Between Borders’ Premieres in Fresno

UP NEXT

Hamas Names 4 Hostages It Plans to Release on Saturday in Latest Gaza Ceasefire Exchange

UP NEXT

US Home Sales in 2024 Fall to Lowest Level in Nearly 30 Years as Prices, and Mortgages, Soar

UP NEXT

Judge Bars Oath Keepers Founder Rhodes from Entering Washington Without Court’s Permission

UP NEXT

AG Bonta Sues Tulare Over Cold Storage Project. Are State Minimums Not Enough?

UP NEXT

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Hangs Near Its Record as It Heads for a 2nd Straight Winning Week

UP NEXT

Trump Targets California Water Policy as He Prepares to Tour LA Fire Damage

UP NEXT

Fresno County Traffic Stop on I-5 Leads to $163K Fentanyl Bust

UP NEXT

Critically Acclaimed Film ‘Between Borders’ Premieres in Fresno

UP NEXT

Trump’s Cabinet Picks Are Set for Senate Hearings. Here’s the Schedule

UP NEXT

Ontario Leader Will Call Election to Fight Trump’s Threatened Tariffs

Judge Bars Oath Keepers Founder Rhodes from Entering Washington Without Court’s Permission

13 minutes ago

AG Bonta Sues Tulare Over Cold Storage Project. Are State Minimums Not Enough?

15 minutes ago

Reality TV Couple Sues Los Angeles After Losing Home in Fires

18 minutes ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Hangs Near Its Record as It Heads for a 2nd Straight Winning Week

21 minutes ago

Trump Targets California Water Policy as He Prepares to Tour LA Fire Damage

26 minutes ago

Fresno County Traffic Stop on I-5 Leads to $163K Fentanyl Bust

28 minutes ago

Critically Acclaimed Film ‘Between Borders’ Premieres in Fresno

31 minutes ago

Trump’s Cabinet Picks Are Set for Senate Hearings. Here’s the Schedule

52 minutes ago

Ontario Leader Will Call Election to Fight Trump’s Threatened Tariffs

1 hour ago

Instagram and Facebook Blocked and Hid Abortion Pill Providers’ Posts

1 hour ago

Djokovic Quits Mid-Match and Walks Off to Boos, Putting Zverev in Australian Open Final vs. Sinner

MELBOURNE, Australia — Spectators booed an injured Novak Djokovic as he left the court in Rod Laver Arena after quitting one set into his Au...

37 seconds ago

37 seconds ago

Djokovic Quits Mid-Match and Walks Off to Boos, Putting Zverev in Australian Open Final vs. Sinner

4 minutes ago

Hamas Names 4 Hostages It Plans to Release on Saturday in Latest Gaza Ceasefire Exchange

9 minutes ago

US Home Sales in 2024 Fall to Lowest Level in Nearly 30 Years as Prices, and Mortgages, Soar

13 minutes ago

Judge Bars Oath Keepers Founder Rhodes from Entering Washington Without Court’s Permission

15 minutes ago

AG Bonta Sues Tulare Over Cold Storage Project. Are State Minimums Not Enough?

18 minutes ago

Reality TV Couple Sues Los Angeles After Losing Home in Fires

21 minutes ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Hangs Near Its Record as It Heads for a 2nd Straight Winning Week

26 minutes ago

Trump Targets California Water Policy as He Prepares to Tour LA Fire Damage

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend