On March 26, 2024, the world was shocked as the MV Dali hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It is among the top infrastructure failures in modern American history and a major maritime accident. The event happened at night, and as Americans woke up, they saw that the 1.6-mile-long bridge had been broken into pieces in the middle of the Patapsco River.
The Baltimore cargo ship accident was on the headline for the next few days, resulting in 6 deaths and a total collapse of the bridge. Following it, firstly, people suspected a terror attack. However, later it was found that the Singapore-owned ship lost control of the propulsion system and hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Baltimore Cargo Ship Accident (MV Dali) – The Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse:
The Baltimore Cargo Ship accident was not only a maritime event; it had multiple consequences. It disrupted the supply chain in the entire region; the Maryland port was virtually at-stop for the next few days. Also, it raised big questions about the cargo ship transportation and its safety features.
Motor Vessel Dali (MV Dali) Ship Details
The MV Dali is a Neopanamax container ship, built in 2015. Hyundai Heavy Industries built the ship as an ultra-large cargo vessel. It had an overall length of nearly 984 feet (300 meters) and a beam of approximately 158 feet (48 meters). It weighs 91,128 tons and has a capacity of 9,971 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).
With such a huge capacity, the Dali is a powerhouse of international logistics. The vessel was fully carrying approximately 4,700 containers, weighing 56,675 metric tons, during the collision.
The global shipping giant Maersk had chartered MV Dali at that time. Also, the ship owner was Grace Ocean Private Ltd., and Marine Group was managing it. Since both were Singapore-based companies, the vessel carried the Singapore flag.
Previously, in 2016, the vessel struck a berth in the Port of Antwerp. So, the vessel had faced maneuvering difficulties earlier, too.
Detail | Specification |
Type | Neopanamax Container Ship |
Flag | Singapore |
Length (LOA) | 984 feet (approx. 300 meters) |
Beam (Width) | 158 feet (approx. 48 meters) |
Gross Tonnage | 91,128 GT |
Deadweight Tonnage | 116,851 DWT |
Container Capacity | 9,971 TEU |
Propulsion | Single Low-Speed Diesel Engine |
Built | 2015 |
Owner | Grace Ocean Private Ltd. |
Manager | Synergy Marine Group |
Cargo at Incident | Approx. 4,700 containers |
MV Dali Accident Details:
The MV Dali accident event follows a one-way timeline. So, let’s break down what happened that night and what led the ship to hit the monster bridge.
The Beginning Point:
MV Dali began its voyage at midnight on March 26, 2024. The cargo vessel departed Baltimore’s Seagirt Marine Terminal bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka.
There were two local pilots aboard and the failure began at approximately 1:24 AM EDT. There was a complete electrical blackout. The NTSB later found that the tripping of high- and low-voltage electrical breakers (HR1 and LR1) caused the power loss. As a result, the ship had a total power cut. So, it’s all essential machinery, including the main engine, steering gear, and lighting lost power.
Propulsion Losing Control:
The ship had a single 55,626 hp diesel engine. The engine requires continuous electrical support to cool water and lubricate oil pumps. Since there was no power, the engine automatically shut down.
The NTSB investigation revealed a few important observations:
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There was loose wiring in the control circuit for the HR1 breaker.
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Most likely, previous vibrations had damaged the wiring.
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The loose wiring interrupted the flow and caused undervoltage.
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It triggered the first blackout.
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However, there was a temporary restoration of power.
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Another power cut happened almost immediately.
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The loss of power put the engine at a stop.
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The crews failed to restart the main engine or regain steering.
As a result, the ship became an unpowered and uncontrolled projectile. As the propulsion stopped working, it was moving with enormous momentum.
Issuing Mayday and Striking on Francis Scott Key Bridge:
The navigating pilots immediately recognized the impending disaster. So, they issued a Mayday alert at 1:27 AM. They further notified the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDTA) that MV Dali had lost all control.
So, the collision with the bridge was imminent. The crew made a last-minute, desperate attempt to control the vessel’s movement. So, they dropped the port anchor as a heroic effort. Also, MDTA police effectively closed the bridge traffic.
The speed of MV Dali was approximately 6.8 to 8 knots (about 8-9 mph) at that time. So, it couldn’t change its trajectory. At 1:28:45 AM, the MV Dali struck the southwest main support pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The structural failure was immediate. The pier collapsed almost instantly, leading to domino-like failure. Thus, the central truss spans started falling off like cards. Following it, a large section of the bridge’s superstructure fell onto the ship’s forward deck. Then, into the Patapsco River.
The authorities detected a minor oil sheen. It was a leak from a bow thruster. Also, 13 of the vessel’s 4,700 containers were damaged. Thankfully, most containers, including some carrying hazardous materials, were safe.
How Many Died And Were Injured in the MV Dali Accident?
The most tragic consequence of the Baltimore cargo ship accident was the human cost. As per the report, eight construction workers were on the span when MV Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Brawner Builders and a subconsultant had employed the workers. They were filling potholes in the southbound lanes.
Following the impact, six of these construction crewmembers were killed. They plunged into the frigid river waters. They succumbed to blunt force trauma or drowning.
Thankfully, the pilot of MV Dali had called an immediate Mayday. So, the authorities got just enough time to stop all other traffic from entering the bridge. It saved potentially dozens of lives.
One inspector among the eight workers escaped unharmed. Also, the authority rescued one construction worker with serious injuries. Additionally, one of the 23 crew members aboard the MV Dali sustained minor injuries.
The rescue and search team recovered the bodies of the six workers through a challenging rescue operation.
MV Dali Case Study and Lawsuit:
Following the Baltimore cargo ship accident, the litigation started immediately. The cargo ship authority used the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 to limit its compensation.
Compensation Amount:
The Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 allows ship owners to cap their financial exposure for damages. Thus, ship owners can prove that the accident didn’t happen because of their negligence or unseaworthy condition.
Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Group filed a petition in the U.S. District Court. In it, they seek to limit their liability to approximately $43.7 million. However, multiple claimants immediately challenged it.
Then, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a civil claim. They seek damages for the costs of the federal agencies for their response, salvage, and clean-up operation. The U.S. settled its claim with the shipowners for nearly $102 million. It covered all the compensation claims of the government authority for the rescue operation.
However, the State of Maryland is seeking over $1.7 billion in compensation. It covers:
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The full costs of bridge replacement
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Economic losses
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Lost toll revenue
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Environmental cleanup
Maryland’s lawsuit alleges negligence, unseaworthiness, and gross negligence. They argued that the vessel’s power issues were known. Also, they claimed that the crews were not trained to handle events like a power cut on the ship.
Next up, the families of the six deceased workers have filed wrongful death claims to recover their loss.
Consult Jonesact.Info For Any Cargo Ship Accident:
Cargo ship accidents are complex. It includes large cargo ship companies, government authorities, and injured persons. So, it becomes tough to sue such large companies and conglomerates, involved in the accident.
Thus, the Jonesact Info is ready to fight for you during cargo ship accident claims. Our skilled and experienced maritime lawyers will ensure your rights, proving the negligence of the ship owner and operator. Also, we will calculate your physical and emotional suffering to maximize your claims.
Conclusion:
The Baltimore cargo ship accident highlights how a large ship can destroy a monumental bridge like the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Eight people were dead, and the economic loss from the bridge destruction and the stoppage of the harbors for days. The rescue operation was commendable, and following it, multiple litigations were filed. However, the litigation result is still waiting, and we will provide further updates on it.
