A legal battle unfolds as the U.S. government seeks substantial compensation for the devastating Baltimore bridge collapse.
According to ABC13 Houston, the Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the companies that owned and operated the container ship responsible for destroying the Francis Scott Key Bridge last March.
The lawsuit aims to recover more than $100 million to cover the costs of the government's response to the fatal bridge collapse and the extensive cleanup efforts. The Justice Department alleges that the companies sent an ill-prepared crew on an unseaworthy vessel to navigate U.S. waterways, prioritizing profit over safety.
Federal prosecutors argue that the two companies cut corners in ways that jeopardized lives and infrastructure. The lawsuit details how failures on the ship led to the disastrous collision, highlighting the companies' alleged negligence.
The Justice Department claims that longstanding problems with the ship's electrical transformers were not properly addressed. Instead, the companies reportedly used makeshift braces that repeatedly broke, compromising the vessel's safety systems.
On the night of the bridge collapse, these electrical issues caused the ship's engine room to lose power completely. The backup transformer, which should have activated within seconds, had been "recklessly disabled," according to the lawsuit.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of holding responsible parties accountable. He stated:
The Justice Department is committed to ensuring accountability for those responsible for the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which resulted in the tragic deaths of six people and disrupted our country's transportation and defense infrastructure.
The lawsuit describes the bridge collapse as an "entirely avoidable" tragedy. It alleges that none of the four tools that could have prevented the disaster - the rudder, propeller, anchor, or bow thruster - were functioning properly at the time of the incident.
Furthermore, the Justice Department revealed that the ship had experienced a power loss just one day before the collapse. This incident was allegedly not reported to the Coast Guard as required by law, raising questions about the companies' compliance with safety regulations.
In addition to the $100 million sought for cleanup and response costs, the Justice Department is also pursuing punitive damages. The lawsuit argues that these companies need to be deterred from future negligence, as they continue to operate vessels, including a sister ship to the Dali, in U.S. waters.
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer declined to comment on potential criminal charges, stating that the department cannot discuss any ongoing criminal investigations or actions at this time.
The civil lawsuit marks the federal government's first enforcement action following the bridge collapse. It aims to ensure that the costs associated with clearing the channel and reopening the Port of Baltimore are borne by the responsible companies rather than American taxpayers.
The Justice Department's lawsuit against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited seeks to recover over $100 million for the Baltimore bridge collapse. The government alleges negligence and cost-cutting measures led to the preventable tragedy that claimed six lives and caused significant infrastructure damage. As the legal process unfolds, the case may set a precedent for holding shipping companies accountable for maritime disasters in U.S. waters.
