Early on Tuesday morning, a massive container ship was adrift at a speed of 9 mph. The ship, which issued a “mayday” call, was headed towards the iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge after losing power. It eventually collided with one of the bridge’s support columns, causing a loud crash that could be heard from land. The impact of the vessel caused a major thoroughfare to collapse into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River. Cars were knocked into the river, and as of Tuesday morning, authorities were searching for six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time. Two workers were rescued, with one being hospitalized briefly and the other declining treatment. The rescue mission is ongoing and extensive.
The city of Baltimore was shaken by the tragic events that unfolded overnight. Both the mayor and governor declared states of emergency as search-and-rescue efforts continued for the missing workers. The collapse of the bridge, a vital link in the mid-Atlantic region, has caused widespread chaos and disruption.
The incident began when the ship, traveling at 8 knots (9 mph), suddenly lost power. The crew immediately notified authorities and issued a “mayday” call. This allowed police on the highway above to prevent vehicles from driving onto the bridge just before the collision. The ship, named Dali and flying the flag of Singapore, was being guided by a local pilot as it made its way through the port. The pilot will undergo drug and alcohol testing as part of the investigation.
The impact of the collision caused the bridge to collapse, trapping cars and workers. The ship’s lights can be seen turning on and off in video footage just before the crash. It is believed that the vessel lost power, causing it to lose steering and collide with the bridge.
The Coast Guard is leading the search-and-rescue mission, with assistance from other agencies such as the FBI, Department of Transportation, and White House. The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the cause of the incident. The Coast Guard has deployed boats and a helicopter to aid in the search, and police helicopters are also circling the area.
The bridge, part of Interstate 695, is a major traffic artery and one of Baltimore’s three toll crossings. It sees an average of 34,000 vehicles per day, and its collapse will have a significant impact on commerce in the region. The Port of Baltimore is still processing trucks within its terminals, but vessel traffic in and out of the port has been suspended.
Authorities are using sonar and underwater drones to search for the missing workers, but the conditions are challenging. The water in the area is about 50 feet deep, and the temperature is around 49 degrees Fahrenheit. The air temperature was 41 degrees at the time of the incident.
The ship, built in 2015, had arrived from Norfolk, Virginia, and was due to depart for its next destination. All 22 crew members and two pilots on board have been accounted for, and there are no reports of injuries. The ship’s owners and managers have stated that there is no pollution from the incident.
The cause of the ship’s loss of power is still under investigation. It has had 27 inspections since it was built, with the most recent one conducted by the Coast Guard in September 2021, reporting no deficiencies. The latest prior inspection, conducted in June 2021, found one deficiency related to propulsion and auxiliary machinery.
As for the bridge, it has been considered to be in good or fair condition for the past three decades. The most recent inspection, conducted in November 2021, found it to be in overall satisfactory condition. Federal Highway Administration records show that the bridge was up to code, and there were no immediate red flags regarding its structural integrity.
The collapse of the Key Bridge has caused widespread devastation and disruption in Baltimore. The community is reeling from the tragedy, and authorities are working to provide support and assistance to those affected. The bridge will need to be rebuilt, and authorities are already planning for the long road ahead. President Biden has promised that the federal government will foot the bill for the new bridge.
As the sun rose on Tuesday morning, residents of Dundalk gazed at the area where the Key Bridge once stood. The center of the bridge was gone, with only a section collapsed on top of the ship. It was a heart-wrenching sight for many, and the impact of this tragedy will be felt for a long time to come.
