Crew members aboard the cargo ship Dali are set to return home as early as Thursday following an agreement that allows for questioning by lawyers amidst ongoing investigations into the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. This development marks the first time any crew members will depart the U.S. since the ship lost power and collided with one of the bridge's supporting columns on March 26.
U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar confirmed the agreement during a hearing on Thursday, permitting the crew to return home while remaining available for depositions. Attorneys had previously sought to prevent crew members from leaving the country, with eight of the Dali's crew members scheduled to depart. The crew, consisting of individuals from India and Sri Lanka, is crucial to ongoing civil litigation regarding responsibility for costs and damages resulting from the bridge collapse, which claimed the lives of six construction workers and disrupted maritime traffic in Baltimore's port.
The ship's owner's spokesperson indicated that some crew members would stay behind to assist with the investigation, but details on the number of departing crew members and the ship's departure to Norfolk, Virginia for repairs remain unclear. The vessel had been lodged amidst the bridge debris for nearly two months, necessitating extensive cleanup efforts in the Patapsco River.
The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation revealed power outages on the ship prior to the incident, with ongoing inquiries into the electrical malfunctions that led to the bridge collapse. Additionally, the FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into the matter.
According to court filings, the crew members scheduled to depart have already been interviewed by Department of Justice investigators, with their departure not contested by the department. The crew is expected to leave Baltimore around June 20, as the legal and investigative processes surrounding the tragic event continue.
