Attorneys are urging a federal judge to prevent crew members on the cargo ship Dali from returning to their home countries as investigations continue into the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. The ship's crew, consisting of seafarers from India and Sri Lanka, were set to debark the vessel and head home, but a petition has been filed to keep them in the U.S. for ongoing civil litigation.
The bridge collapse, which claimed the lives of six construction workers and disrupted maritime traffic in Baltimore's port, has prompted legal actions to determine liability for the incident. The ship's owner and manager, both Singapore-based companies, have sought to limit their legal responsibility for the disaster.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the Dali experienced power outages before the incident, leading to questions about the vessel's electrical systems. The FBI has also initiated a criminal investigation into the matter.
The crew members, who possess crucial information about the events leading up to the collapse, are being requested to stay in the U.S. to assist with depositions and questioning related to the litigation. The ship itself has been undergoing repairs in Baltimore and is expected to move to Norfolk, Virginia, for further maintenance.
Despite some crew members being allowed to depart, a portion will remain in the U.S. to aid in the investigation. The ship had been stuck in the wreckage of the fallen bridge for nearly two months, necessitating extensive cleanup efforts in the Patapsco River.
The ongoing legal proceedings and investigations underscore the complexity of determining accountability for the tragic bridge collapse and highlight the importance of retaining key witnesses for questioning and depositions.
