Investigators examining the cause of the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge have found a loose cable that may have caused electrical problems on the Dali, the cargo ship that lost power and collided with the bridge. The cable, when disconnected, led to an electrical blackout on the ship, mirroring the events before it hit the bridge on March 26, according to newly released documents from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The documents do not contain any analysis or definitive conclusions, which will be included in the final report by the board. A spokesperson declined to provide further comments as the investigation is still ongoing. The Dali was departing from Baltimore to Sri Lanka when its steering failed due to power loss, resulting in the collision with the bridge and the tragic death of six roadwork crew members.
Earlier reports had highlighted power issues on the ship before and after it left Baltimore, but the latest records delve deeper into how the electrical system potentially failed leading to the deadly accident. The initial power failure occurred while the ship was docked in Baltimore, caused by a crew member mistakenly closing an exhaust damper during maintenance, which stalled one of the diesel engines.
Further investigation revealed that the ship switched to a second transformer and breaker system before departure, where the loose cable was discovered. Engineers from Hyundai, the manufacturer, confirmed that the loose cable could trigger a blackout by creating an open circuit. The simulation where the cable was disconnected resulted in a blackout on the ship.
The documents also mentioned inspections and certificates concerning the Dali’s condition and compliance with maritime safety regulations. Experts view the loose cable as a critical issue within the electrical system of the ship. The thorough investigation suggests that very few other problems were found during the examination of different systems and machinery onboard the Dali.
Former NTSB investigator Tom Roth-Roffy noted that discovering such a specific issue might indicate poor maintenance or crew-related problems. Detecting loose connections in numerous wires is a complex task, considering factors like ship vibrations that can cause such issues over time. Ultimate responsibility lies with the ship’s crew for ensuring proper maintenance and operation.
The Dali sailed from Baltimore to Virginia for repairs in late June and is expected to head to China for further actions later this month according to local media reports.
