The incident involving a cargo ship named the Dali colliding with the Key Bridge in Baltimore started with an emergency transmission over radio communications, warning of the ship’s loss of steering as it drifted towards the bridge. The maritime experts suggested that the crew would have faced a difficult situation given the narrow channel and darkness. The ship, moving at 8 knots, was too close to the bridge for maneuvers like dropping anchor to be effective, and likely little could have been done to avert the collision. Investigators are now analyzing data recorders on board to determine the cause of the incident, with a focus on potential fuel-related issues.
An initial inspection of the Dali in Chile had identified deficiencies in propulsion and auxiliary machinery, but subsequent inspections, including one in New York, had found no issues. Although the deficiencies could have been minor, experts cautioned against reading too much into the information recorded in June. The ship, chartered by Maersk and bound for Sri Lanka, had two port pilots on board at the time of the crash, and all 22 crew members were safe. Port pilots play a vital role in guiding large ships through narrow waterways, as was the case with the Dali. Containerships colliding with bridges are rare but have occurred in the past, with tragic consequences.
The collision of the Dali with the Key Bridge resulted in the dramatic collapse of a section of the roadway, shocking local residents who witnessed the destruction. Video footage captured moments leading up to the crash, including the ship’s lights going out and smoke billowing from its chimney, followed by a sharp turn towards the bridge. The deadliest such collision in the U.S. occurred in 1980 when a cargo ship brought down the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay, Florida, killing 35 individuals. The incident in Baltimore highlights the risks involved in navigating large vessels through narrow waterways, especially in challenging conditions such as darkness and potential mechanical issues.
The Dali, a Singaporean-flagged vessel operated by Synergy Marine Group, was equipped with data recorders that are crucial to the investigation into the cause of the collision. Officials chose not to board the ship immediately after the crash to allow for search and recovery efforts. The National Transportation and Safety Board considers the data recorders to be a critical piece of the investigation. While initial suspicions point towards fuel-related issues, further analysis will be required to determine the exact cause of the ship’s loss of control. The maritime community, including Maersk and other organizations, expressed condolences for those affected by the incident and pledged to cooperate with investigations.
Maritime experts stress the importance of port pilots and their role in guiding ships through narrow channels safely. In cases of emergency, such as the one involving the Dali, pilots are trained to issue mayday calls and take necessary measures to protect the ship and crew. The incident in Baltimore underlines the challenges of navigating large vessels in confined areas, where precise maneuvers are required to avoid collisions with structures such as bridges. The rarity of containerships colliding with bridges underscores the severity of such incidents, which can have devastating consequences as seen in previous cases around the world. Overall, the investigation into the collision will focus on analyzing data from the ship’s recorders and determining the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
