The cargo ship responsible for Tuesday's devastating collision with Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge underwent "routine engine maintenance" in port just before the incident, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. This revelation casts a shadow over the cause of the crash, as investigators scramble to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the bridge's collapse and the tragic loss of life.
Divers recovered the bodies of two construction workers from the frigid waters of the Baltimore Harbor on Wednesday. With four others missing and presumed dead, the total number of fatalities from the incident is expected to rise to six. The missing men were part of an eight-person crew performing maintenance on the bridge when the massive cargo ship, the MV Dali, slammed into a support column, sending a section of the bridge tumbling into the water below.
The Coast Guard is meticulously examining the ship's voyage data recorder, a device similar to an airplane's black box, which captures crucial details about the vessel's operation. This information, along with crew interviews and inspections of the MV Dali, will be instrumental in piecing together the timeline of events.
Adding another layer of complexity to the investigation is the fact that the MV Dali, while registered in Singapore, is managed by Synergy Marine Group and chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk. Authorities in Singapore have pledged their full cooperation to the U.S.-led investigation.
The revelation about the engine maintenance raises a critical question: Did the work contribute in any way to the power loss reported by the MV Dali's crew just moments before the collision? Coast Guard officials are tight-lipped on the specifics, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the City of Baltimore grapples with the aftermath of the disaster. The bridge closure has crippled a vital transportation artery, causing significant traffic disruptions and economic hardship. Emergency crews continue to search for the missing workers, but hopes of finding them alive are fading.
The Baltimore Bridge collapse serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking beneath the seemingly routine operations of massive cargo ships. As investigators delve deeper into the cause of the crash, the lingering uncertainty surrounding the engine work underscores the need for a comprehensive and transparent investigation to ensure such a tragedy never befalls Baltimore, or any other city, again.