Isolated at Sea: MV Dali Crew’s Communication Crisis

The 21 crew members of the MV Dali ship that collided with the Baltimore bridge, causing its collapse, have been stuck on the ship for 55 days. The crew, consisting of 20 Indians and a Sri Lankan, have been unable to leave the ship since the incident on March 26, which resulted in the complete collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the loss of six construction workers’ lives. Despite their efforts to locate survivors and cooperate with authorities, including enduring controlled explosions to remove debris from the ship’s bow, the crew members are facing a challenging situation.

The crew members, represented by the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union, are struggling emotionally as they witness the aftermath of the tragedy each day. Due to US maritime regulations requiring minimum staffing on board at all times, the crew members cannot leave the ship even though their visas have expired. The owner of the Dali Ship, Synergy Marine, has provided support and mental health services to the crew members, who are also concerned about facing repercussions for the incident. The crew’s cellphones were confiscated by the FBI, leaving them with temporary phones without access to their SIM cards or data.

The Singaporean unions have expressed distress over the crew members’ situation and unfounded fears of being held responsible. The port chaplain and the Executive Director for Baltimore’s International Seafarers’ Centre have expressed concern over the crew’s well-being and the handling of the investigation. The crew members remain on board, fulfilling maintenance duties and navigating the difficult circumstances as they await resolution.

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