FBI Boarded Ship Linked to Deadly Baltimore Bridge Collapse, Justice Department Files $100M Lawsuit

Federal agents have recently boarded another vessel linked to a cargo ship that caused a tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore, as confirmed by the FBI. The vessel in question, Maersk Saltoro, is managed by Synergy Marine Group, the same company responsible for the ill-fated cargo ship Dali.

Coordination with Agencies

The FBI, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, and Coast Guard Investigative Services conducted court-authorized law enforcement activity aboard the Maersk Saltoro. However, no further details have been disclosed by the authorities regarding the nature or findings of this operation.

Past Incidents and Legal Proceedings

The boarding of Maersk Saltoro follows a similar event involving the cargo ship Dali, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, causing extensive damage and loss of life. The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the ownership and management groups of the Dali, alleging their negligence in operating the vessel despite known electrical problems that led to the disaster.

The lawsuit claims that the mechanical and electrical systems on the Dali were improperly maintained and had been "jury-rigged," resulting in power outages and other failures that rendered the crew incapable of averting the impending disaster. The ship was reportedly experiencing power loss multiple times just before it crashed into the bridge's support column, leading to the tragic loss of six road work crew members and significant disruptions to commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore.

Seeking to Recover Damages

The U.S. government is seeking to recover over $100 million in damages incurred during the response to the incident, including the cost of clearing underwater debris and restoring operations at the port. The ownership and management groups of the Dali have reportedly sought to limit their legal liability, a move that the Justice Department intends to contest vigorously, arguing that such reckless and harmful behavior must be deterred.

Connection to Present Circumstances

There are striking parallels between the Dali and Maersk Saltoro, as both vessels were built by the same manufacturer in 2015. The lawsuit against the Dali also raises concerns about the Saltoro's electrical system, citing issues such as excessive vibrations, cracked equipment, and past power outages, which were allegedly not reported to the U.S. Coast Guard as required.

Despite the significant legal and operational challenges facing these vessels, both the Dali and Saltoro continue to operate in U.S. waters and participate in international voyages. As the Dali embarks on its first international voyage since the disaster, questions remain about the potential ongoing criminal investigation into the bridge collapse and the future ramifications for the involved parties.

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