Several crew members from the MV Dali, a cargo ship involved in a collision with a bridge in Baltimore nearly two years ago, remain detained in the U.S. without any criminal charges filed against them. The incident occurred on March 26, 2024, when the Singapore-flagged vessel lost power while navigating the Fort McHenry channel, resulting in the deaths of six workers on the bridge. The four senior crew members, including the captain and chief engineer, are still in Baltimore as part of an ongoing investigation.
Sources indicate that the crew, primarily from India and Sri Lanka, are uncertain about their futures and have not seen their families in almost two years. While they can move freely within Baltimore, their passports have been confiscated, restricting travel without FBI approval. The employer, Synergy Marine Group, continues to cover their accommodation and salaries during this period. The NTSB’s report attributed the crash to a loss of electrical power due to improper installation of a signal wire, without assigning individual fault to the crew.
In response to the incident, Baltimore’s mayor vowed accountability for all parties involved. The companies operating the Dali agreed to a $101.98 million settlement for federal response costs, though they denied liability. Legal proceedings related to the incident are ongoing, with several lawsuits filed by affected parties. Advocates for the crew express concern over their prolonged detainment, emphasizing that they acted to the best of their abilities to prevent the collision.
