(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The owners and managers of the container vessel Dali, which was involved in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on March 26, 2024, have initiated legal action against the ship's builder, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, alleges that a defectively designed and installed switchboard on the vessel was the root cause of a critical power outage that led to the collision.
The complaint specifically targets the under-voltage release (UVR) control circuit, asserting that a design flaw, where a labeling band was placed too close to a wire's ferrule, prevented a secure electrical connection. This alleged defect, the plaintiffs claim, caused a circuit breaker to trip, resulting in a 440-volt blackout that left the ship without propulsion and steering moments before it struck a key support column of the bridge.
The legal challenge by Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine follows a complex and expanding legal landscape surrounding the disaster. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been investigating the incident, with preliminary findings focusing on the vessel’s electrical system. The NTSB’s investigative update in June 2024 confirmed "an interruption in the control circuit" linked to the ship's main breakers. This discovery aligns with the lawsuit’s central argument.
The incident has also prompted other significant legal actions. Federal prosecutors, as well as the state of Maryland, have filed separate lawsuits against the vessel's owner and manager, accusing them of operating an unseaworthy vessel with documented electrical problems. In response, Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine are pursuing a limitation-of-liability strategy, aiming to cap their financial exposure while shifting blame to the shipbuilder.
References:
- Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse: On March 26, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m. EDT, the cargo ship Dali lost power and collided with a pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing a major section of the bridge to collapse.
- NTSB Investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the collapse. A preliminary report and subsequent updates have focused on the vessel's electrical systems.
- Lawsuits Against Vessel Owners: The U.S. Department of Justice and the State of Maryland have filed lawsuits against Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine, alleging that they operated the Dali despite known mechanical and electrical issues.
