Probe into Key Bridge collapse centers on ship's power system and circuit breakers, say investigators

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating why a cargo ship lost power and hit a Baltimore bridge last month, leading to its collapse. The focus of the investigation is on the engine room equipment.

Hyundai, the manufacturer of the equipment, has dispatched employees to the Dali ship to assist with downloading data from the electrical power system and examining the circuit breakers. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy provided this information to the Senate Commerce Committee.

Right now, our main focus in this investigation is on that," Homendy mentioned. She added that the findings are still preliminary and the investigation could lead in various directions as it progresses.

This week, Hyundai came back to the US with specialists to examine the circuit breakers," she noted. CNN reached out to the company for more details, but they have not responded yet.

Data collected from the systems in the engine room will be extremely beneficial, according to Homendy. Unlike a flight data recorder on a plane, the Dali's onboard vessel data recorder (VDR) is not meant to gather detailed data from onboard systems.

Cargo ship Dali is seen after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Cargo ship Dali is seen after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

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"There isn’t sufficient information available to fully grasp the situation in the engine room," she explained. "It mainly provides a brief overview of the main systems on a ship."

Further interviews have been carried out with the crew members of the ship, she mentioned. This includes the officer who was responsible during the collision that occurred at 1:30 a.m. on March 26, resulting in the collapse of the Key Bridge and the tragic loss of six road construction workers.

The interviews conducted involved key personnel on board the Dali, including the second officer who was the most senior officer on duty at the time. They also spoke with both pilots, experienced local mariners responsible for navigating the ship through the narrow channel of the Patapsco River. Additionally, crewmembers involved in the engine and electrical systems, such as the chief engineer, assistant engineer, and electrician, were also interviewed.

Homendy mentioned that NTSB investigators are still at the site of the incident. Other agencies are currently working to remove debris from the bridge to free the ship, reopen the channel, and eventually rebuild the Key Bridge. This bridge is an important part of the interstate highway system in Baltimore, connecting the city and its port.

Sen. Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the committee, expressed his hope that the Biden administration would streamline the process of reconstructing the bridge. He raised concerns about bureaucratic delays and criticized the lengthy environmental review processes typically associated with infrastructure projects.

Cruz questioned the necessity of a prolonged environmental permitting review for rebuilding the bridge in the same location. He emphasized the economic significance of the port and suggested that the federal government should treat the situation as an emergency. Cruz even drew a comparison with China, implying that they would have swiftly resolved the issue without unnecessary delays.

During a visit to the collapse site on Friday, President Biden promised federal assistance for the recovery efforts and expressed his sympathies to the families of the six workers who lost their lives.

The US Army Corps of Engineers also shared new 3D sonar images of the wreckage beneath the river's surface, providing the most detailed view of the tangled debris that rescue teams are working hard to remove.

Editor's P/S:

The recent investigation into the cargo ship incident that resulted in the collapse of a Baltimore bridge highlights the importance of thorough data analysis and cooperation between various parties. The National Transportation Safety Board's focus on the engine room equipment and their reliance on data from onboard systems emphasize the crucial role of technology in understanding the circumstances of such events. The investigation also underscores the need for timely and efficient reconstruction efforts to minimize disruptions to transportation and commerce.

Furthermore, the comments from Sen. Ted Cruz raise concerns about potential bureaucratic hurdles that could delay the rebuilding process. Infrastructure projects often involve complex environmental review processes, and in this case, the economic significance of the bridge and port should be taken into consideration. By streamlining procedures and prioritizing the reconstruction, the government can expedite the restoration of this vital infrastructure, ensuring the continuity of transportation and supporting the economic recovery of the region.