Baltimore City officials have leveled serious accusations against Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean, the manager and owner, respectively, of the vessel involved in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collision. Despite claims by the firms, both based in Singapore, to cap their liability at $43.6 million, city attorneys have vehemently contested this move, demanding an uncapped liability.
Mayor Brandon Scott and the city council assert in their legal filing that the ship, the Dali, was negligently managed and operated, leading to the catastrophic collapse of the bridge on March 26. The filing alleges a litany of failures on the part of the companies, including deploying an incompetent crew that lacked proper training and failed to adhere to navigation protocols.
The incident, which claimed the lives of six construction workers, occurred as the Singapore-flagged Dali attempted to navigate out of the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka. Investigations revealed that the 984-foot vessel lost power, rendering it unable to maneuver properly, and subsequently collided with a support pillar of the Key Bridge, causing a significant portion of the structure to plunge into the Patapsco River.
City officials further accuse the ship’s operators of disregarding safety protocols, including failing to heed warnings or properly maintain the vessel. Despite requests for comment, Synergy Marine declined to provide a statement, while Grace Ocean remained unresponsive to inquiries.
As legal proceedings unfold, the city of Baltimore remains resolute in its pursuit of justice for the victims and accountability from those deemed responsible for the tragic incident.
