Navigating Forward: Latest Developments in Baltimore Bridge Probe

Investigators caution that unraveling the sequence of events leading to the collision between the Dali container ship and a concrete column supporting the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which resulted in the bridge’s catastrophic collapse, will be a time-consuming process.

The bridge, spanning 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers), collapsed upon impact, leading to eight construction workers being plunged into the water. While two workers were promptly rescued, the bodies of two others were recovered on Wednesday, leaving four still missing and presumed dead.

Onboard the ship were 764 tons of hazardous materials, including sheen used in paint, some of which leaked into the Patapsco River.

Moments before the collision, the ship experienced a power failure. The retrieval of the data recorder on Wednesday aims to shed light on the malfunction. Investigators have conducted interviews with the ship’s captain, mate, and two engineers.

The investigation is anticipated to center on two main aspects: the cause of the power failure and the bridge’s ability to withstand the impact.

Regarding the Power Failure: Video footage suggests that the Dali lost power just before the collision, potentially causing the crew to lose control of its steering, resulting in an erratic trajectory.

Investigators are exploring whether contaminated fuel may have contributed to the power failure, as mentioned by Jennifer Homendy, head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Samples of the ship’s fuel have been gathered for analysis.

Impurities in fuel can lead to issues with engine operation and power generation, as described by an officer’s account detailing the loss of power, steering, and electronic functions onboard.

Recordings from the ship’s black box reveal the pilot’s distress call for tugboat assistance after reporting the power failure and alerting dispatchers of an impending collision with the bridge.

Efforts to mitigate the impact, including steering maneuvers and dropping anchor, proved futile, with the collision occurring less than three minutes later. The significant size and momentum of the Dali, equivalent to three football fields, exacerbated the severity of the impact.

Concerning Bridge Design: Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that the Key Bridge, completed in 1977, was not designed to withstand a direct impact from a vessel the size of the Dali, weighing approximately 200 million pounds (90,700 tonnes).

Design standards at the time did not account for today’s larger vessels, leaving the bridge susceptible to such collisions, as noted by Norma Jean Mattei, a former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Experts pointed out the absence of protective measures such as fenders and dolphins around the bridge piers, which could have mitigated the impact.

Despite the bridge’s satisfactory condition, its lack of redundancies, according to Ms. Homendy, made it vulnerable to collapse if any segment failed.

Looking Ahead: Resolve Marine, renowned for its involvement in containing the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, will spearhead efforts to salvage and remove the Dali ship, facilitating the restoration of the waterway for shipping.

In the aftermath, bridge owners worldwide will reevaluate safety measures to prevent similar disasters, underscoring the importance of learning from such incidents to improve bridge design and construction practices.