Boating Accident: Vessel Hits Maryland Bridge

On March 26, 2024, the cargo ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, causing its collapse. The 984-foot ship, operated by Synergy Group and chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk, was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it lost power and veered off course. The ship's crew issued a mayday call prior to the collision, allowing authorities to stop traffic on the bridge and prevent further casualties. Six construction workers on the bridge were presumed dead, with two others rescued from the water. The incident disrupted shipping operations at a major US trade hub and prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation.

The ship's power loss

The power loss on the Dali cargo ship was unexpected and sudden. The ship's crew notified officials with a "mayday" call, which allowed authorities to stop traffic before impact and likely saved lives. The crew tried to deploy the anchor, but the ship's momentum carried it towards the bridge.

The power loss was caused by a loss of propulsion. Multiple alarms rang out, alerting pilots and crew to the issue. The crew ran several system tests to try to remedy the problem, but they were unsuccessful. The ship's pilots then alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland Transit Authority.

The exact cause of the power loss is still under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) collected the ship's data recorder to review and analyze the material and establish a timeline of events.

The power loss had devastating consequences, causing the Dali to slam into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, and leading to its collapse. Six construction workers who were on the bridge are missing and presumed dead, while two others were rescued. The bridge, which was about 1.6 miles long and carried Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River, was an important transportation link and its collapse has disrupted shipping operations and commuter traffic.

The mayday call

The crew of the cargo ship Dali issued a mayday call in the moments before the ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on 26 March 2024.

The ship's crew reported a loss of power, and the vessel veered off course, slamming into a bridge support at a speed of 8 knots (roughly 9 mph). The impact caused a section of the bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River.

The Dali's crew attempted to drop anchor, but the ship was unable to stop in time. The vessel was moving at a very rapid speed, according to officials, and it took only seconds for the bridge to collapse after the ship hit it.

The US Coast Guard ended its rescue operation, transitioning to a recovery phase to locate the missing individuals.

The search and rescue operation

The Coast Guard deployed small boats from Station Annapolis and Station Curtis Bay, as well as a helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City, for the search and rescue mission. Maryland State Police also assisted in the operation, with their Secretary, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., noting the dangers of putting divers in the water with changing currents, low temperatures, poor visibility, and debris.

The investigation

The Moments Leading up to the Collision

On March 26, 2024, at 1:24 am, footage shows the lights on the 984-foot cargo ship, Dali, flicker and go out. A minute later, at 1:25 am, a dark plume of smoke is seen billowing from the ship. At 1:26 am, the ship begins to veer off course and turn towards the bridge pillar. At 1:27 am, the Dali slams into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse.

The Aftermath

The bridge collapse resulted in the deaths of six construction workers, with two others being rescued. The ship's crew of 22, including two pilots, were accounted for and uninjured.

The NTSB is leading the investigation, with a team of 24 experts examining various factors, including nautical and vessel operations, safety records, company policies, and any safety management systems in place. They will also be looking into the structure of the bridge and whether it had been flagged for any safety deficiencies.

The data recorder from the Dali will be critical to the investigation, providing a detailed timeline of events. The ship's crew had reported a power issue, with multiple alarms going off, and the vessel losing propulsion. Despite attempts to remedy the situation, the ship was unable to stop and ended up colliding with the bridge.

The Impact

The collapse of the bridge has had a significant impact on the local economy and supply chains, with the Port of Baltimore being closed to vessel traffic. The bridge was a major artery, with approximately 30,000 to 35,000 vehicles commuting across it daily. The process of rebuilding the bridge is expected to be long and expensive, costing up to $1.9 billion and taking more than four years to complete.

The aftermath

Search and Rescue

The US Coast Guard, alongside state and local agencies, mounted a search-and-rescue operation for the missing construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed. This operation was supported by air, land, and sea resources, including drones, sonar technology, and infrared imaging. The rescue efforts transitioned into a recovery mission after it was determined that no survivors would be found.

Injured and Deceased

Two construction workers were rescued from the water, one of whom was hospitalized in serious condition. The bodies of four workers were recovered, while the remaining two were presumed dead. The deceased workers were from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, and efforts were made to notify their families.

Environmental Impact

The collapse resulted in a sheen of oil on the water, with the US Coast Guard detecting a potential fuel spill from the ship or the vehicles that fell into the river. The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Coast Guard took the lead in determining the extent of the spill and its impact on the environment.

Ship and Crew

The ship, named the Dali, remained stuck at the scene for nearly eight weeks. It was eventually refloated with the help of tugboats and moved to a nearby terminal. The 21 crew members, mostly Indian nationals, remained on board with limited communication and had their phones confiscated by the FBI. The crew cooperated with the investigation and assisted in the salvage work.

Bridge Reconstruction

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge disrupted shipping operations and commuter traffic, affecting the local economy and supply chains. The bridge was a crucial link in the Baltimore Beltway, with approximately 30,000 to 35,000 vehicles commuting daily. The process of rebuilding the bridge was expected to be long and expensive, with Maryland authorities estimating a cost of up to $1.9 billion and a timeline of over four years.

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