Four senior crew members of the cargo ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore nearly two years ago remain detained in the US, despite no criminal charges being brought against them. The men, who are from India and Sri Lanka, have been held since the collision on 26 March 2024, which killed six workers on the bridge.
The MV Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, lost power while navigating the Fort McHenry channel and collided with the bridge. A report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in November 2024 found that the crash was caused by a loose signal wire in the electrical system, due to improper installation, and that broader systemic issues contributed to the incident. The NTSB did not attribute individual fault to the crew.
The four crew members—the captain, chief engineer, chief electrician, and second officer—are allowed to move freely within Baltimore but require FBI permission to travel elsewhere. Their passports have been confiscated. The employer, Synergy Marine Group, is covering their accommodation and salary. Some have not seen their children in nearly two years.
Legal proceedings are ongoing. In October 2024, the ship's owner and operator agreed to pay $101.98m to settle a federal civil claim for cleanup costs, without admitting liability. Separate proceedings to determine liability under maritime law are scheduled for June 2026. Federal prosecutors have not announced any criminal charges.
Barbara Shipley of the International Transport Workers' Federation expressed concern over the detention, stating that the NTSB report shows the crew acted to the best of their ability and should be exonerated and repatriated.
