The ship, measuring 984 feet, embarked on its journey to Norfolk, Virginia, with the assistance of four tugboats. The purpose of this voyage is to facilitate the removal of the remaining containers on board and to conduct further repairs.
The Dali's departure from Baltimore marks a significant chapter in a tragic saga that began on March 26. The vessel lost power and propulsion shortly after leaving the Port of Baltimore, resulting in a devastating collision with a supporting column of the Francis Scott Key bridge. This incident led to the death of six construction workers and caused the bridge to collapse.
The Dali was refloated on May 20 and guided back to port, after being trapped amidst the wreckage for nearly two months. A massive steel truss was seen draped across its damaged bow. The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation revealed that the ship had experienced two power outages before departing from the Port of Baltimore. Moments before the bridge's collapse, the ship lost power again and veered off course. The cause of these electrical failures remains under investigation by the agency. In addition, the FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into the incident.
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Last week, a federal judge confirmed an agreement allowing the Dali's crew members to return home. These individuals had been unable to leave the U.S. since the crash. As per the agreement, the crew members are required to be available for depositions upon their return home.
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The bridge collapse has had a profound impact on the local economy, affecting thousands of longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners. This has led local and state officials to prioritize the reopening of the port and restoration of its traffic to normal capacity in an effort to mitigate the economic repercussions. Officials have projected a hopeful completion date for the bridge's reconstruction by 2028.