The crew on the ship managed to notify the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel, according to the US President.
US President Joe Biden praised the 22-member Indian crew aboard the freighter Dali for their quick Mayday distress call, which was credited with saving many lives during the ship’s collision with the Baltimore bridge.
Biden also commended the swift response of local authorities.
“The crew on board the ship managed to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation about their loss of control, as you’re aware and have reported. Consequently, local authorities could close the bridge to traffic before the collision occurred, undoubtedly preventing loss of life,” Biden stated.
“We’re immensely thankful for the courageous rescuers who promptly arrived at the scene,” he added.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge is recognized as one of the busiest in the nation.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore hailed the Indian crew as “heroes” for their swift warning before the collision, which he credited with “saving many lives.”
The owners of the Singapore-flagged container ship “Dali” involved in the incident stated that the vessel collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore while under the guidance of two pilots. All crew members, including the two pilots, were accounted for, and there were no reported injuries.
According to the New York Post, one of the pilots stated that he did “everything that he could have done” to slow the ship and prevent it from drifting toward the bridge. This information was shared by Clay Diamond, the executive director and general counsel of the American Pilots Association, who has been in close contact with the Association of Maryland Pilots since the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge.
The accident is expected to have significant repercussions in the region. Shipping operations may cease temporarily due to debris, while traffic in Baltimore could be impacted following the loss of the bridge.
