Boating Accident: Baltimore Bridge Collisions And Vessel Types

On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed after a cargo ship called the Dali collided with one of its pillars. The 984-foot ship was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, from the Port of Baltimore when it lost power and veered off course, hitting the bridge at around 1:30 a.m. local time. The impact caused a 1.6-mile section of the bridge to crumble into the Patapsco River within seconds, sending several vehicles into the chilly waters below.

The ship's crew issued a mayday call before the collision, allowing authorities to stop traffic from crossing the bridge and likely saving lives. Despite their efforts, six construction workers who were on the bridge are presumed dead, and two others were rescued from the water.

The Dali cargo ship was chartered by Maersk and operated by Synergy Marine Group

The Dali cargo ship was chartered by Maersk and operated by the Singapore-based Synergy Marine Group. The ship was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it hit a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at around 1:30 a.m. on March 26, 2024.

The Dali is a massive container ship, measuring about 984 feet in length, or almost three football fields long. It was carrying a crew of 22 Indian nationals, including two pilots, and was travelling at a speed of about 8 knots or 9 miles per hour when it struck the bridge.

The impact caused the 1.6-mile-long bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River within seconds, sending several vehicles into the chilly waters. Six construction workers who were on the bridge are presumed dead, while two others were rescued.

Maersk, a Danish shipping giant, said it was "horrified" by the incident and that it would cooperate with the investigations being conducted by the authorities and Synergy. The company also confirmed that no Maersk crew or personnel were onboard the vessel.

Synergy Marine Group confirmed that all crew members and pilots on board the Dali were safe and accounted for, and that there were no reports of any injuries. The company said the exact cause of the incident was yet to be determined.

The Dali had previously been involved in an incident in 2016 at the Port of Antwerp in Belgium, where it collided with a stone wall during unmooring maneuvers. The ship suffered sufficient damage but remained afloat and was repaired.

The ship was crewed by 22 Indian nationals, including two pilots

The Dali cargo ship, which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, was crewed by 22 Indian nationals, including two pilots. The ship was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, from the Port of Baltimore, when it collided with the bridge.

The ship's crew issued a mayday call, notifying officials of a power issue and allowing them to stop traffic before the impact. The ship's crew attempted to drop anchor, but it is unclear how much progress was made. The ship was moving at a speed of about 8 knots, or 9 miles per hour, which is considered very rapid.

The two pilots on board were local specialists who help guide vessels safely into and out of ports. The ship was not being piloted by its own crew.

The Dali had previously been involved in a minor incident in Belgium's Port of Antwerp

The Dali cargo ship, which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, had previously been involved in a minor incident in Belgium's Port of Antwerp. In July 2016, the Dali suffered "sufficient damages" when it collided with the stone wall of the quay during unmooring maneuvers. The accident, which occurred in good weather, was attributed to a mistake by the master and pilot on board. As a result, the Dali sustained hull damage, while the berth also sustained serious damage and was closed for repairs.

The Dali is a Singapore-flagged vessel, managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. It was chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk and was carrying Maersk customers' cargo. The ship was en route from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it struck the bridge.

The Dali's crew alerted authorities of power issues prior to the collision

On March 26, 2024, the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. The ship's crew, comprised of 22 Indian nationals, alerted authorities of a power issue before the collision, specifically a loss of propulsion. This Mayday call allowed workers to prevent more vehicles from entering the bridge, saving lives.

The MV Dali was travelling from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, at around 1:30 am local time when it crashed into one of the pillars of the bridge. The ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd and was under pilotage with two pilots on board. The exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined.

The aftermath of the collision saw the bridge collapse into the Patapsco River, causing a construction crew and several vehicles to plunge into the dangerously cold waters. The US Coast Guard was deployed to rescue those affected, with two people rescued and six reported missing. Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed gratitude for the timely response of the authorities, stating that the Mayday call allowed them to prevent further casualties.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leading the probe. Maryland Governor Wes Moore confirmed that the crew of the MV Dali had indeed alerted authorities of a power issue. He affirmed that the ship had lost propulsion and was moving at a very rapid speed before the collision. Moore also noted that there was no evidence of a terrorist attack, suggesting that the incident was an accident.

The aftermath of the bridge collapse has had a significant impact on the local economy and supply chains, with the Port of Baltimore—a major US trade hub—indefinitely closed to vessel traffic. The disruption is expected to affect various industries, including automotive, construction, and commodities. The path to rebuilding the bridge is expected to be long and expensive, requiring collaboration between federal, state, and local entities.

In the wake of the incident, the Apostleship of the Sea, a Catholic ministry, has been providing support and comfort to the crew of the MV Dali. Andrew Middleton, the director of the organization, has been in communication with the crew and reported that they are in a positive mindset and doing well. He highlighted the sacrifices made by seafarers, who often spend long periods away from their families to support them financially.

The Dali's crew attempted to deploy the anchor before the collision

The Dalis crew attempted to deploy the anchor before the collision. The Dali, a 948-foot vessel, had a 'complete blackout' before its collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Clay Diamond, the executive director of the American Pilots Association, said that the pilot quickly handed out a string of orders to try and prevent the catastrophe. The pilot ordered the rudder to be turned hard to the left and the anchor to be dropped to steady the ship and slow it down.

The Dali crew also called in a mayday, which halted traffic on the 1.6-mile bridge before it collapsed. The mayday call allowed local officials to stop traffic from going onto the bridge, likely saving lives.

The Dali crew's attempts to prevent the collision, however, were unsuccessful. The extreme size of the ship and its proximity to the bridge meant there was little hope of avoiding the devastating collision.

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