UPDATE: New reports confirm that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is taking decisive action to prevent another catastrophic incident like the recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Just announced, the NTSB issued 17 critical safety recommendations aimed at avoiding similar disasters across the United States.
The NTSB’s urgent measures come in the wake of a tragic event last year, where the 213-million-pound cargo vessel Dali lost engine and power, crashing into a bridge pillar, resulting in the loss of six lives. The vessel’s operator, Synergy Marine, has been specifically advised to implement thermal imaging to detect potential wiring issues on its fleet, among other essential safety protocols.
During a public meeting held earlier today, NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy emphasized the necessity of adopting these recommendations. “In order to see safety change, we need our recommendations implemented,” she stated firmly, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The NTSB discovered alarming risks associated with the Key Bridge, indicating it had nearly 30 times the acceptable level of risk for collapse if struck, as per standards set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Despite the bridge receiving a satisfactory rating in its last inspection in 2024, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) failed to assess this risk, placing the blame entirely on the Dali’s operators.
“MDTA maintains that the collapse was due solely to the Dali and its owners’ gross negligence,” the agency asserted in a statement, asserting that the bridge met federal safety standards.
In the wake of these findings, the NTSB is also pushing for risk assessments on 68 other bridges across 19 states, specifically targeting older structures built before 1991 that lack current vulnerability analyses. Notable bridges on this list include the Golden Gate Bridge in California and several major bridges in New York City.
Officials revealed that a critical mislabeling of a wire on the Dali was identified as a probable cause of the power failure leading to the crash. This seemingly minor issue caused a series of failures, including loss of steering and essential lighting. “Locating a single wire that is loose among thousands is like looking for a loose bolt in the Eiffel Tower,” Homendy explained, illustrating the complexities involved.
The investigation also highlighted significant challenges in retrieving data from the ship’s voyage data recorders, akin to black boxes. These issues hindered the NTSB’s ability to analyze the incident thoroughly, emphasizing the need for improved data management systems.
Authorities are expected to release a final report in the coming weeks, and the NTSB plans to formally finalize their 17 safety recommendations. “We have a really big voice, and we’re not afraid to use it,” Homendy affirmed, reiterating the board’s commitment to ensuring safety measures are taken seriously.
In a related development, the Justice Department previously announced a settlement of nearly $102 million against Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean Investment Limited for alleged negligence related to the Dali’s maintenance, which contributed to the disastrous collision.
As the NTSB continues its investigation, the focus remains on implementing these vital safety recommendations to protect lives and infrastructure across the nation. The urgency is clear—the nation must act now to prevent another tragedy.