NTSB Chief Links Cargo Ship Outages to Baltimore Bridge Collision
During a congressional hearing, the NTSB chief revealed that the cargo ship Dali faced two blackouts at the Port of Baltimore just before colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The efforts to address these outages potentially influenced the ship's operations, shedding light on the events leading up to the collision.
The head of the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the cargo ship Dali had experienced two blackouts while docked at the Port of Baltimore just before its tragic collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Following the in-port blackouts on March 25, the ship's crew made the decision to switch to a different transformer and set of breakers that had not been in use for several months, as stated by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. This change may have had an impact on the ship's operations when it departed from the port the next day.
Homendy mentioned that changing breakers is a common occurrence but it may have impacted the operations the day after the accident voyage. These remarks provide additional information for the NTSB investigation focus. The comments were made during a hearing for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which was examining the federal response to the Key bridge collapse on March 26.
On Tuesday, the NTSB shared a 24-page initial report that outlined the early findings of the investigators. The Dali hit the bridge with such impact that it caused the 1.6-mile-long steel structure to collapse, resulting in the tragic loss of six construction workers on the bridge and cutting off access to important shipping routes to and from the Port of Baltimore.
A section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge rests in the water next to the Dali container ship in Baltimore on May 13, 2024 after crews conducted a controlled demolition. The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major transit route into the busy port of Baltimore, collapsed on March 26 when the Dali container ship lost power and collided into a support column, killing six roadway construction workers. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
A part of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is seen in the water next to the Dali container ship in Baltimore on May 13, 2024 following a controlled demolition. This bridge, which is a key route into the bustling port of Baltimore, collapsed on March 26 after the Dali container ship lost power and crashed into a support column. Tragically, this incident resulted in the loss of six construction workers. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
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Ship that struck Baltimore bridge lost power twice before crash, NTSB report finds
The Dali was dangerously close to the bridge when it experienced two major electrical malfunctions. These failures caused essential pumps for the ship's propeller and rudder to cease functioning. Although the emergency generator turned on, it was not set up to provide power to the ship.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Homendy characterized the ship as "essentially drifting" right before colliding with the bridge.
The NTSB report revealed that the Dali had encountered two blackouts the day before while it was still docked in the port.
According to the report, the NTSB is currently looking into the electrical setup after the initial blackout at the port and how it may have affected the events during the voyage that led to the accident.
Homendy mentioned that the NTSB has been collaborating closely with Hyundai, the manufacturer of the ship equipment, in order to recreate some of the electrical issues that occurred on that day and gain a better understanding of the situation.
It is important to note that the NTSB preliminary report does not determine a probable cause. The final report, which may take up to two years to finish, will contain the findings that determine the cause of the incident.
Officials estimate cost and timeline of replacement bridge
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Video shows what happened right before ship hit bridge
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The House committee hearing on Wednesday included testimony from Homendy, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, Army Corps of Engineers Major Gen. William H. Graham, and Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen Bhatt.
The officials provided various estimates for the next steps. According to Gautier, the Dali is scheduled to be refloated and taken out of the port by early next week. Graham mentioned that the entire channel is expected to be fully open by the end of May.
Additionally, Bhatt stated that a new replacement bridge is projected to be completed by 2028 and is estimated to cost around $1.7 to $1.9 billion.
Homendy suggested that bridge operators and owners should take a fresh look at how US bridges are shielded from passing ships. She highlighted the trend of cargo ships growing in size over the years.
She pointed out that bridges constructed in the past, like one in operation since 1977, may need to be built differently if they were constructed today.
Video footage before the crash captured black smoke billowing from the 213-million pound vessel, with lights flickering on and off.
The NTSB report describes the frantic attempts of those on the Dali to prevent the crash and alert those on the bridge. It also discusses the harrowing experiences of a crew member on the ship and a road maintenance inspector on the bridge.
The crew member was at the front of the ship when the crash happened. According to the report, he mentioned to investigators that he had to quickly move away from the falling bridge as he was releasing the brake on the port anchor. After escaping, he managed to reapply the brake.
The inspector who was on the bridge at the time of the collision was walking along the span. The report mentions that he ran towards the north and was able to reach the closest remaining span before the rest of the bridge collapsed.
Six construction workers lost their lives while filling potholes on the bridge. These workers were immigrants from El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, who were working hard to provide for their families.
Editor's P/S:
The tragic collision between the cargo ship Dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which claimed the lives of six construction workers, highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in maritime transportation. The NTSB's preliminary report sheds light on the ship's electrical issues, including two blackouts at the Port of Baltimore, which may have contributed to the accident. The investigation into the electrical setup and its impact on the ship's operations is crucial to determine the probable cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Furthermore, the NTSB's recommendation to re-evaluate the protection of bridges from passing ships is timely. With the increasing size of cargo ships, it is imperative to ensure that bridges are designed and constructed with adequate safeguards to withstand potential collisions. The estimated cost and timeline for the replacement bridge emphasize the significant economic and logistical challenges posed by such incidents. The lives lost and the disruption to vital shipping routes underscore the importance of prioritizing safety and investing in infrastructure improvements to prevent future tragedies.
