The cargo ship Dali departed from Baltimore for Virginia on Monday, nearly three months after a tragic incident where it lost power and collided with one of the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s columns, resulting in the bridge’s collapse.
The 984-foot Dali set sail before 8:30 a.m. with the assistance of four tugboats.
With a full crew of 22 and six salvage experts onboard, the Dali was able to move under its own power, as confirmed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
During the voyage, the Coast Guard is supervising the ship and maintaining a 500-yard safety zone around it for safety precautions.
The Dali is scheduled to dock at Virginia International Gateway to unload approximately 1,500 cargo containers, reducing its draft. Following this, the vessel will proceed to Norfolk International Terminal for further salvage and repair work after the bridge accident.
The tragic incident occurred on March 26, when the ship lost power and propulsion shortly after leaving the Port of Baltimore, resulting in a collision with the bridge support column and the unfortunate death of six construction workers.
After being refloated on May 20, the Dali was finally guided back to port after being stuck for nearly two months, with significant damage to its bow from the collapse.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed multiple power outages on the ship before the accident, leading to the loss of power and deviation off course. The agency continues to investigate the root cause of the electrical failures, with the FBI also conducting a criminal investigation.
Recently, some crew members of the Dali were allowed to return home under an agreement confirmed by a federal judge, with the remaining crew members expected to be available for depositions.
The aftermath of the bridge collapse has affected various workers and businesses, prompting efforts to restore normal operations at the port and alleviate economic disruptions in the region.
Efforts are underway to rebuild the bridge, with proposals being submitted in Maryland and plans to finalize the design-build team. Officials aim to have the bridge reconstructed by 2028.
