A cargo ship named Dali collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday, causing the span to collapse. The ship issued a mayday call moments before the crash, indicating that it had lost power; however, it continued toward the bridge at a very rapid speed.
The 985-foot-long vessel struck one of the bridge’s supports, leading to the collapse. The ship caught fire, and thick black smoke billowed from it. At the time of the incident, the Dali was moving at approximately 8 knots (around 9 mph).
The vessel had been under the control of one or more local pilots who assist in navigating vessels safely into ports. An inspection last June in Chile identified a problem with the ship’s “propulsion and auxiliary machinery.” Interestingly, the most recent U.S. Coast Guard inspection in New York in September 2023 didn’t identify any deficiencies. The 47-year-old bridge was rated as being in fair condition, but it lacked pier protection to withstand such a collision.
Two people were rescued, but six construction workers remain unaccounted for. Sonar detected cars in the water, which is about 50 feet deep. The water temperature was around 47°F (8°C) before dawn on Tuesday.
As many as 22 of the 24 crew members, all of whom were Indians, were onboard the large container vessel that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Fortunately, they were accounted for and known to be safe. Maryland Governor Wes Moore praised the Indian crew as “heroes” for their prompt warning before the collision, which ultimately saved lives.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is likely to lead to a multi-billion dollar insurance loss, according to the chairperson of the commercial insurance market Lloyd’s of London. The economic impact includes immediate costs such as $2 million in wages per day and 8,000 jobs affected due to the closure of the Port of Baltimore.
The disruption to vessel traffic at the port may have significant and protracted impacts on supply chains, although experts suggest that the effects could be targeted to specific regions and industries.
In summary, this tragic event underscores the need for robust safety measures and thorough inspections to prevent such incidents in the future. It also highlights the bravery of the Indian crew members who played a crucial role in averting further casualties. The economic repercussions are significant and will require careful management and recovery efforts.
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