Federal authorities, including the FBI, have taken action against the company responsible for the cargo ship that caused the tragic collapse of the Baltimore bridge. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland have confirmed that they boarded the Maersk Saltoro, a vessel managed by Synergy Marine Group, which also manages the ship involved in the bridge collapse.
According to reports, the U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit alleging that the owners and operators of the cargo ship, Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group, were negligent in maintaining the vessel’s mechanical and electrical systems. This negligence led to a power outage that resulted in the ship crashing into the bridge, causing the death of six construction workers and disrupting commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore for months.
The Justice Department is seeking to recover over $100 million spent on clearing debris and reopening the port. The owners and operators of the vessel have attempted to limit their legal liability, but the Justice Department has vowed to contest this effort and hold them accountable for their actions.
The FBI and Coast Guard boarded the Maersk Saltoro in the Port of Baltimore as part of ongoing law enforcement activities related to the case. The vessel involved in the bridge collapse, the Dali, has been refloated and is on its way back to the port. The owners and managers of these ships must be held accountable to prevent such reckless behavior in the future.
As the legal battle continues, the Justice Department is emphasizing the need to deter companies like Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine Group from engaging in dangerous practices that put lives at risk and disrupt important transportation routes. The FBI’s involvement in the case suggests that there may be a criminal investigation ongoing, as federal authorities work to uncover the full extent of the negligence that led to the bridge collapse.
Despite the challenges and legal battles ahead, it is essential that those responsible for the bridge collapse are held accountable for their actions. The tragic incident in Baltimore serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safe and reliable transportation systems, and the need to prevent similar disasters from happening in the future.