A view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., March 26, 2024. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
According to records from the public ship safety database Equasis, MV Dali – the ship that collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge this morning – was cited by port state officials in San Antonio, Chile, on June 27 for a deficiency related to “propulsion and auxiliary machinery.”
According to the report, the deficiency was described in detail as issues with “gauges, thermometers, etc.” but there was no detention resulting from this single detected deficiency. Three months later the ship was subject to a follow-up inspection by the United States Coast Guard in New York but no deficiencies were recorded.
A few minor deficiencies is not uncommon for a ship like the Dali however, the recent incident in Baltimore has brought this previous citation back into focus, suggesting the possibility of a recurring issue with the vessel’s propulsion system.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading an investigation into the crash, with particular attention likely to be paid to the previously detected propulsion deficiency. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy mentioned that the investigation would leverage on-board voice recorders and examine the vessel’s operating history, among other aspects. Notably, Homendy highlighted the cooperation with Singaporean authorities, reflecting the international dimension of maritime safety and regulation.
The NTSB investigation will likely take a year to complete and maritime experts expect a public hearing will be scheduled sooner. Details of the inspection in Chile will likely be presented at the hearing. There will also likely be questions about the effectiveness of USCG follow-up inspections considering the serious budget and manning problems the Coast Guard currently faces.
According to Clarksons, the M/V Dali is owned by a subsidiary of the Japanese Mitsui & Co, Grace Ocean of Singapore, and operated by Synergy Marine on behalf of Maersk. The incident not only underscores the importance of rigorous maintenance and oversight of maritime vessels but also highlights the potential consequences of operational failures. With cargo from Maersk on board, the implications of the incident extend beyond maritime safety, touching on issues of supply chain reliability and the responsibilities of chartering companies.
As the investigation proceeds, the maritime industry and regulatory bodies will be keenly awaiting insights that could prevent such incidents in the future, ensuring the safety of maritime operations and infrastructure. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for stringent operational standards and the continuous monitoring of vessel integrity to safeguard against unforeseen accidents.
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