BALTIMORE, Maryland —The massive container ship that caused the deadly collapse of a Baltimore bridge apparently experienced electrical problems before leaving port, someone with knowledge of the situation said, hours after the FBI announced an investigation into what happened.
The Dali left the port of Baltimore in the early hours of March 26 loaded with goods bound for Sri Lanka when it collided with one of the pillars supporting the bridge and caused the structure to collapse into the Patapsco River. Six maintenance workers died and only three bodies have been recovered.
The ship apparently experienced electrical problems before leaving port, said a person familiar with what happened who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment. She noted that alarms went off in the ship’s refrigerated containers while she was still docked in Baltimore, likely indicating an inconsistent power supply.
The crew was aware of the issues and indicated they would be addressed, according to the person.
Researches
Officials with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have said their investigation will include an inquiry into whether the ship experienced power problems before beginning its voyage.
NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said last week that investigators were focusing on the electrical system of the massive merchant ship that veered off course. The boat suffered electrical problems a few moments before the incident, as indicated by videos in which you can see how the boat’s lights go off and on again.
Homendy said the information obtained from the ship’s data recording system was relatively basic, “so the information in the engine room will help us tremendously.”
The FBI indicated Monday that it is conducting a criminal investigation into the bridge collapse that focuses on the circumstances that led up to it and whether all federal laws were followed, according to another person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
FBI agents were aboard the freighter Monday conducting law enforcement activities, the agency said in a statement. He did not elaborate and said he would not comment further on the investigation, which was first reported by The Washington Post.
For his part, Mayor Brandon Scott issued a statement Monday announcing a partnership with two law firms to “initiate legal action to hold wrongdoers accountable” and mitigate harm to the people of Baltimore.
Source: AP
