The fatal collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore — a year ago on Wednesday — instantly became one of the most infamous maritime disasters in living memory.
The 21 Indian seafarers on the Singapore-owned 9,962-teu boxship Dali (built 2015) found themselves at the centre of the storm that day, after their vessel hit one of the bridge’s piers in an accident that killed six maintenance workers.
Manager Synergy Marine Group told TradeWinds that one year on, eight crew members remain in Baltimore as the investigation goes on.
“We would urge, of course, that the well-being of the Dali crew — both those who remain in Baltimore and those who have returned home — must remain central to any broader narrative,” the company said.
All crew members still in Baltimore are safe, in good health and housed in well-appointed serviced apartments in a secure neighbourhood, the company reported.
Synergy covers all living costs, including meals and essential services.
The crew have full freedom of movement in the city and access to local amenities, the Mission to Seafarers, and places of worship, the group explained.
“We have also facilitated recreational activities and group gatherings to further support morale,” Synergy added.
Senior Synergy representatives conduct regular welfare visits and are in close contact with the crew’s families, providing emotional and financial support as needed. Salaries continue to be paid in full.
One seafarer has obtained a US work permit and is “gainfully employed”, Synergy said.
“For others, local commuting remains a challenge, but we continue exploring ways to support meaningful engagement,” the manager said.
Over the past year, three of the remaining crew members have returned briefly to India for urgent family reasons, including medical needs and a wedding.
Synergy facilitated and fully funded these trips. “We are grateful to US authorities for their support in making this possible,” the manager said.
“While the initial adjustment to life in Baltimore came with challenges, the crew have now adapted well. We have arranged social activities, access to community resources and festive gatherings to boost morale,” Synergy added.
“While formal volunteering opportunities were considered, practical constraints have so far limited external engagement, but we remain open to such initiatives where feasible.”
All but one of the repatriated seafarers have resumed duties on other Synergy-managed vessels.
The other is still considering a return to sea, “and we continue to support him as needed. All remain in regular contact with their colleagues in Baltimore,” Synergy said.
Psychological strain
“We are acutely aware of the psychological strain that the prolonged nature of this situation can create, and our commitment to securing the dignity, safety, and futures of these professionals remains unwavering,” the manager added.
Synergy released to TradeWinds a photo taken from the Dali’s bridge, showing three members of its emergency response team addressing the crew within hours of the incident.
“The image reflects our immediate and coordinated response, and forms part of our continued efforts to reinforce safety protocols and extend direct support to the seafarers in the aftermath of the event,” the company said.
“Synergy Marine Group continues to cooperate fully with all relevant US authorities and remains guided by legal counsel. At every step, we have prioritised safety, professionalism and transparency, and will continue to do so,” it added.
The crew continues to fully cooperate with both the Department of Justice and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Synergy has also worked with US authorities to secure temporary visas for family members in specific cases, to enable short-term reunification where circumstances warranted it, the company said.
“We await the final report later this year and remain confident that it will comprehensively address all operative factors,” Synergy concluded.
Checks not carried out
Earlier in March, US investigators said state authorities failed to carry out checks on the bridge that would have revealed its vulnerability to collapse after being struck by a ship.
The structure was almost 30 times over the acceptable level of risk for essential bridges when struck by the Dali, the NTSB found.
The Dali’s owner, Grace Ocean, and Synergy have applied to the US courts to limit their liability to $44m, a move Baltimore authorities have vowed to fight.
Total losses of about $1.5bn are expected from the collision, although some estimates are up to $4bn.
In October, the owner and manager agreed to pay $102m to cover the cost of reopening the channel to the port of Baltimore.
The Justice Department has said the ship lost power before striking and collapsing the bridge, blocking all shipping for weeks.
US agencies removed about 50,000 tonnes of steel, concrete and asphalt from the channel and from the Dali itself.(Copyright)
