The cargo ship Dali has finally set sail from Baltimore to Virginia after a nearly three-month delay caused by a tragic accident. The 984-foot vessel, which had been stuck amid wreckage for almost two months, started moving with the help of four tugboats on Monday morning. Its destination is Norfolk, Virginia, where the remaining containers on the ship will be removed and additional repairs will be carried out.
The journey to Norfolk is estimated to take between 16 and 20 hours. The Dali had encountered power outages shortly after leaving the Port of Baltimore on March 26, leading to a collision with one of the Francis Scott Key bridge's supporting columns. This incident resulted in the collapse of the bridge and the unfortunate loss of six construction workers' lives.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the ship had experienced multiple power failures before the tragic event. The exact cause of these electrical malfunctions is still under investigation. Additionally, the FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the matter.
Last week, an agreement was reached allowing the crew members of the Dali to return home after being stranded in the U.S. since the crash. However, they are required to be available for depositions as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The collapse of the bridge has had a significant impact on the local economy, affecting thousands of workers in various industries. Efforts are underway by local and state officials to reopen the port and restore normal traffic flow to mitigate the economic repercussions of the incident. Plans are in place to rebuild the bridge by 2028 in order to restore vital transportation infrastructure in the region.
