US News

Ship cited for previous propulsion deficiency before Francis Scott Key Bridge crash, crashed in 2016

By
Social Links for Isabel Keane
Published March 26, 2024, 9:31 a.m. ET

The container ship that apparently lost power and then smashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was cited last year for a “deficiency” with its propulsion.

The M/V Dali also crashed while leaving the Port of Antwerp in 2016.

Across 27 inspections conducted since the Dali was built in 2015, two “deficiencies” were flagged, according to records from the Electronic Quality Shipping Information System (Equasis) viewed by CNN. 

Chilean authorities gave the Dali a “deficiency” for “propulsion and auxiliary machinery — gauges, thermometers, etc,” in June 2023, according to Equasis records. 

Follow The Post’s live updates for the latest news out of the Baltimore bridge collapse

U.S Coast Guard vessel securing the perimeter around the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge after a collision with the Dali cargo vessel in Baltimore, Maryland.
A US Coast Guard vessel secures the perimeter, after the Dali cargo vessel crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. REUTERS
Remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after a container ship collision, with vehicles fallen into the river below, on March 26, 2024.
Remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after a container ship collision. AP

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore revealed Tuesday morning that the crew of the Dali sent a mayday that the ship had lost power before the crash.

The cause of the power loss is not yet known, but officials said terrorism is not suspected.

Emergency personnel working at the scene of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., on March 26, 2024
Emergency personnel working at the scene of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. REUTERS
A map of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
A map of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.

The ship was also given a “deficiency” for “structural conditions” described as “hull damage impairing seaworthiness” following a 2016 collision while leaving the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016.

Everything you need to know about the Francis Scott Key Bridge's collapse in Baltimore

  • The Dali, the Singapore-flagged container ship that smashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and destroyed it early Tuesday, reportedly lost propulsion and tried to warn officials that it was going to crash, according to a report.
  • Six people were unaccounted for, according to authorities. Two people were pulled from the river by rescuers.
  • Seven vehicles were missing after falling from the 1.6-mile-long span. Officials are using sonar technology to find the vehicles.
  • Videos show power on the ship flickering off, and then on again, shortly before the crash. Watch footage of the bridge’s collapse here.
  • A Baltimore resident described how the horrifying collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday caused his entire house to feel like it was falling down.
  • The Dali was also involved in a collision while leaving the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016.
The ship's path before the collision into Baltimore Key Bridge.
The ship’s path before the collision into Baltimore’s Key Bridge.

Follow along with The Post’s coverage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.

Port authorities confirmed to CNN that the Dali cargo ship was also involved in an “incident” in Belgium in 2016.

According to the maritime incident archive Shipwrecklog, the Dali was attempting to leave the container terminal to head to Bremerhaven, Germany, when its bow reportedly swung around, causing the stern to scrape the side of the quay and damaging several yards of the hull.

The container ship was last inspected on Sept. 9, 2023, by the US Coast Guard in New York. No deficiencies were reported at the time, according to Equasis. 

Officials in Singapore, where the ship is from, said there were 22 crew members and local two pilots aboard the Dali when it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. 

All members of the crew were safe. 

Eight people were on the bridge at the time of the collapse and six remain unaccounted for. Two have been saved, with one in the hospital in serious condition, officials said. 

Horrifying footage captured the moment the vital bridge instantly crumbled upon collision. 

Authorities have declared the tragedy a mass-casualty event as numerous vehicles, including a tractor-trailer rig, were seen plunging into the frigid Patapsco River. 

The ship also caught fire, sending thick, black smoke across the busy harbor. 

Two people were pulled from the river by rescuers. One did not need medical attention while the other is in critical condition, officials said. 

The container ship “lost propulsion” as it was leaving port, and crew members warned Maryland officials of a possible collision, according to a report from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency. 

Videos also show the power on the ship flickering on and off just before the crash. 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore says it is working with the US Coast Guard following the incident.