Justice Department Sues Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse, Seeks $100M Cleanup

BALTIMORE (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has taken legal action against the owner and operator of a cargo ship that was responsible for a significant bridge collapse in Baltimore. The lawsuit, filed to recover over $100 million spent to remove underwater debris and restore access to the city’s port, emerged from the March incident involving the ship, the Dali.

According to the allegations in the lawsuit, the ship’s electrical and mechanical systems were not properly maintained. This oversight led to a loss of power, causing the vessel to drift off course and ultimately collide with a support column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The lawsuit emphasizes that “this tragedy was entirely avoidable.”

The collapse had a profound impact on commercial shipping operations in the Port of Baltimore, disrupting traffic for several months, with the channel only reopening fully in June.

Attorney General Merrick Garland underscored the aim of the civil claim, stating that it seeks to ensure the financial burden of clearing the channel and reopening the port falls on the responsible companies rather than the American taxpayer.

The lawsuit targets Grace Ocean Private Ltd., the ship’s owner, and Synergy Marine Group, its manager, both based in Singapore. In response to the incident, these companies quickly filed a petition in court seeking to limit their legal liability, in what may evolve into one of the costliest marine casualty cases on record.

At the time of the accident, the Dali was departing Baltimore and heading to Sri Lanka when its steering malfunctioned due to the sudden power loss. Tragically, the collapse resulted in the deaths of six bridge maintenance workers who were on site conducting overnight repair work. The employees were engaged in filling potholes when the bridge unexpectedly gave way beneath them, leading to a devastating plunge into the waters below.

Chetan Patil, the acting deputy assistant attorney general, characterized the accident as a result of “careless and grossly negligent decisions” by Grace Ocean and Synergy, accusing them of recklessly dispatching an unseaworthy vessel into a critical navigational area, disregarding the grave risks to both lives and vital infrastructure.

Additionally, on Tuesday, the families of the deceased workers announced their intention to file claims aimed at holding the ship owner and manager fully accountable for the tragedy. They have expressed a strong desire for more stringent workplace protections, particularly for immigrant workers, as all the victims were Latino immigrants seeking better opportunities in the United States.

The ongoing legal battles are not only focused on the costs surrounding the disaster but also shed light on broader issues surrounding workplace safety and the treatment of immigrant laborers in high-risk jobs.

As various stakeholders, including city officials and local businesses, file claims alleging negligence on the part of the shipping companies, the outcome of this case may carry significant implications for maritime law and safety regulations moving forward.

The families of the victims continue to advocate for justice and seek changes that will protect vulnerable workers, emphasizing that tragedies like this should never happen again. The repercussions of this incident extend well beyond the immediate financial concerns, highlighting a need for enhanced accountability within industries that impact public safety.

The focus remains on ensuring that the responsible parties are held to account while shining a light on necessary reforms that might prevent similar disasters in the future.

Source: AP