The container ship Dali experienced two power outages before leaving the Port of Baltimore, which were different from the ones that led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge hours later. The ship was headed to Sri Lanka with shipping containers and supplies for a month-long voyage. The National Transportation Safety Board Chair, Jennifer Homendy, testified that the power outages were related to routine maintenance in port and unexpected tripping of circuit breakers during the accident voyage. Investigations into the incident could take a year or more.
The first power outage on the Dali was caused by a crew member mistakenly closing an exhaust damper during maintenance, resulting in one of its diesel engines stalling. A backup generator came on but quickly shut off due to insufficient fuel pressure, leading to a second blackout. Additionally, after recovering from these outages, changes were made to the ship’s electrical configuration, which may have affected operations on the accident voyage. The FBI has also launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the bridge.
During the journey towards the bridge, the ship experienced more power outages as it approached. The emergency generator on board was activated but could not restore propulsion, causing the ship to drift. While there were redundancy systems in place, the emergency generator was unable to provide full functionality. Investigators are working with Hyundai, the manufacturer of the Dali’s electrical system, to determine the exact cause of the failures. The safety board is still on scene evaluating all aspects of the accident, including the ship’s fuel quality.
The preliminary report from the safety board details the moments leading up to the bridge collapse, with crew members struggling to address multiple electrical failures. The ship experienced power loss and steering issues as it approached the bridge, with breakers tripping multiple times. Despite efforts to restore power, the ship ultimately struck the bridge, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. The last victim’s body was recovered from the wreckage last week, and a controlled demolition was conducted to clear the collapsed bridge span from the Dali’s bow.
The ship is expected to be refloated and guided back to the Port of Baltimore early next week after the controlled demolition of the collapsed bridge span. The incident has prompted an intense investigation by the safety board and the FBI to determine the root cause of the electrical failures that led to the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The findings from the investigations will be crucial in preventing similar incidents in the future and ensuring the safety of maritime operations in the port and beyond. The tragic event has left a lasting impact on the families of the victims and the community, prompting a renewed focus on safety and maintenance protocols in the maritime industry.
