An unidentified first responder called for traffic to be held on the Key Bridge as a ship, the Dali, lost its steering and drifted towards the bridge at 8 knots. Maritime experts noted that little could have been done by the crew to avert catastrophe in such a situation. Attempts to drop anchor were likely futile due to the ship’s size, speed, and distance from the bridge. Investigators are now working to piece together what caused the incident, with fuel or fuel system issues being suspected culprits.
The Dali had data recorders on board, but they have yet to be analyzed, which is seen as a critical piece of the investigation by officials. An inspection in Chile in June noted deficiencies in propulsion and auxiliary machinery, but subsequent inspections, including one in New York in September, did not find any issues. The Dali, a Singaporean-flagged vessel chartered by Maersk, was bound for Sri Lanka. Synergy Marine Group, the operator of the ship, confirmed that two port pilots were at the helm during the crash, and all 22 crew members were accounted for.
Experts caution against reading too much into the deficiencies noted in previous inspections, as they could be minor issues like paperwork problems. The role of port pilots in helping large ships navigate narrow waterways is crucial to avoid accidents like the one involving the Dali and the Key Bridge. Collisions between containerships and bridges are rare but not unheard of, and recent incidents in China and the U.S. have shown the potential catastrophic consequences of such accidents.
The dramatic collision between the Dali and the Key Bridge was captured on video, showing the ship’s lights going out, smoke billowing, and a sharp turn before impacting the bridge. Local residents expressed shock at the destruction of the bridge, which had been a prominent feature in the area for nearly half a century. Maersk and Synergy Marine Group expressed their concerns and stated they are closely monitoring investigations into the incident. The search for answers to what caused the steering failure of the Dali and ultimately led to the collision with the Key Bridge continues as officials work to prevent such incidents in the future.
