The U.S. Justice Department has taken legal action against the owner and manager of the cargo ship responsible for the Baltimore bridge collapse, with a lawsuit seeking to recover over $100 million spent by the government to clear underwater debris and reopen the city's port. The lawsuit alleges that the ship, named the Dali, had improperly maintained electrical and mechanical systems, leading to a loss of power and deviation off course before striking a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.
The incident, deemed as 'entirely avoidable' in the lawsuit, caused significant disruptions to commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore for months until the channel was fully reopened in June. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the civil claim aims to hold the responsible companies, Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group of Singapore, accountable for the costs incurred, rather than burdening the American taxpayer.
The ship, en route to Sri Lanka from Baltimore, experienced steering failure due to the power loss, resulting in the tragic collapse of the bridge that claimed the lives of six road work crew members. The victims, all Latino immigrants seeking better opportunities, were working on the bridge when it collapsed beneath them, plunging them into the water.
The Justice Department's legal action accuses Grace Ocean and Synergy of making careless and grossly negligent decisions by sending an unseaworthy vessel through a critical waterway, disregarding the risks to American lives and infrastructure. In response, the victims' families have expressed their intent to file a claim holding the ship's owner and manager fully liable for the disaster, while other parties, including city officials and local businesses, have lodged opposing claims citing negligence.
The families are advocating for enhanced workplace protections, particularly for immigrant workers, in light of the tragedy. The incident has sparked a legal battle that could potentially become one of the most expensive marine casualty cases in history, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of maritime accidents on lives and livelihoods.
