Federal prosecutors have entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with Karthikeyan Deenadayalan, the chief engineer of the containership Dali, who confessed to violating the Ports and Waterways Safety Act by failing to report a dangerous condition on board. This marks a significant admission of criminal wrongdoing related to the severe incident involving the Dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, one of the most serious maritime disasters in recent U.S. history.
Deenadayalan acknowledged he was aware of unsafe fuel supply systems on the Dali and two sister vessels, Maersk Saltoro and Cezanne. The flushing pump utilized during fuel supply was not designed to restart automatically after a blackout, leading to significant hazards for navigation and safety. Despite understanding the risks, Deenadayalan neglected to inform the U.S. Coast Guard as mandated.
The agreement allows criminal prosecution to be halted if Deenadayalan adheres to the stipulated conditions. The case is connected to broader charges against other defendants, including two ship management companies and a technical superintendent, who are accused of knowingly operating the Dali under unsafe conditions, contributing to a blackout that resulted in the vessel colliding with the bridge and causing six fatalities and extensive economic damage.
