U.S. Justice Department lawsuit alleges ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse was ‘jury-rigged’ and improperly maintained
PBS NewsHourSep 24
Companies Settle Baltimore Bridge Case for $102M
Above: The ramps to the Francis Scott Key Bridge months after the bridge collapse. Image copyright: Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
The Facts
Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Private Ltd., the owner and the operator, respectively, of the ship that slammed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge last March, have agreed to pay $102M to settle a federal civil claim.
This comes as the US Justice Department sued the companies after the crash that left six men dead, claiming that the electrical and mechanical systems of the Dali weren't maintained properly.
The Spin
Narrative A
The companies responsible for the Dali were guilty of gross negligence, particularly when it came to the electrical systems of the ship. This settlement will go a long way to making sure taxpayers aren't footing the bill for the damage these companies caused. Further litigation against the companies will hopefully do more to hold them accountable and send a message throughout the shipping industry to do better.
Narrative B
Regardless of what was specifically happening with the operation and maintenance of the Dali, the government is going to need to do more to prepare for cargo ships that are growing larger every year. Protecting infrastructure and streamlining the process for rebuilding it must be near the top of the government's priorities list.