Ship owner cut corners on repairs before deadly Baltimore bridge collapse, US says in $100M lawsuit

The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit accusing the owner and manager of a cargo ship of serious negligence that caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The government seeks to recover over $100 million, which was spent to remove debris and reopen the city’s port.

Background of the Incident

The cargo ship, named Dali, was leaving Baltimore for Sri Lanka in March when a power outage caused it to crash into one of the bridge’s support columns. Tragically, the bridge collapsed, killing six construction workers who were filling potholes during their night shift.

DOJ Launches Inspections of Dali as Ship Prepares to Sail for China

What Went Wrong?

The lawsuit describes multiple mechanical and electrical failures on the Dali, claiming the systems were poorly maintained and “jury-rigged.” This means that instead of fixing the problems properly, the ship’s systems were patched together in an unsafe manner. According to the Justice Department, the ship’s crew and pilots were left powerless when the vessel lost steering control moments before the crash.

The Justice Department also blames the companies involved for placing an unprepared crew on a ship that was not seaworthy. The lawsuit is against Grace Ocean Private Ltd., the ship’s owner, and Synergy Marine Group, the manager, both of whom are based in Singapore.

Legal Response and Investigation

Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Grace Ocean, said that the companies have no comment on the lawsuit but are ready to defend themselves in court.

While the Justice Department is pushing for financial compensation, they have not shared if any criminal investigations are still ongoing. In April, FBI agents boarded the ship, suggesting that further legal action could be taken.

Avoidable Tragedy

The Justice Department’s lawsuit makes it clear that the tragedy could have been avoided. If the ship’s owner and manager had addressed the known electrical problems and maintained the ship properly, the fatal accident might never have happened.

This case will now go to court, where the government hopes to hold the responsible parties accountable for their alleged negligence.