Feds board Maersk Dali sister ship in Baltimore after bridge collapse

On September 21, federal authorities conducted an authorized search of the Maersk Saltoro, a sister ship of the Maersk Dali, in the Port of Baltimore. This action followed the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, which resulted in six fatalities. The investigation involved the FBI, the Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division, and the Coast Guard's Investigative Services, who boarded the vessel shortly after its arrival at 5:45 a.m. The Maersk Saltoro and the Maersk Dali, both managed by Singapore-based Synergy Marine Group, share a similar design and were constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2015. Each ship measures 984 feet in length. The boarding occurred in the wake of a $100 million federal lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against the owner and operator of the Dali, citing negligence in the vessel's operation. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants sent an inadequately prepared crew aboard an unseaworthy vessel to navigate U.S. waterways, contributing to the bridge collapse. The legal action seeks to recover costs associated with the cleanup efforts following the disaster. The Dali was owned by Grace Ocean Private and operated by Synergy, having been chartered by the Danish shipping company AP Moller-Maersk at the time of the incident. This investigation highlights the ongoing scrutiny of maritime operations and the responsibilities of shipping companies in ensuring the safety and seaworthiness of their vessels. The outcome of the lawsuit and the investigation may have significant implications for maritime regulations and practices in the future.