Ship Owner in Baltimore Bridge Collapse Seeks to Blame Others as Liability Case Takes Shape

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: US News and World Report/AP

Oct. 29, 2024, at 5:08 p.m.


BALTIMORE (AP) — As a sprawling liability case takes shape following the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, the owner and manager of the container ship Dali are seeking to deflect responsibility and cast blame elsewhere.

Attorneys for Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Group argued in court Tuesday that Maryland state officials should have better protected the bridge against ship strikes. They also raised questions about whether the shipbuilder installed faulty electrical equipment that caused the Dali to lose power as it approached the bridge.

Meanwhile, lawyers for dozens of claimants seeking damages argued that the immediate focus should remain on where the two companies dropped the ball. “It’s not an offensive tool,” said attorney David Reisman, who represents the state of Maryland. He argued the court shouldn’t consider such allegations from the companies this early in the litigation process.

Among the claimants are the families of six construction workers killed in the collapse as well as state and local governments, businesses, longshoremen and more. They’ve accused Grace Ocean and Synergy of failing to properly maintain the Dali, ignoring longstanding problems with its electrical system and knowingly sending an unseaworthy vessel into Maryland waters.

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2024-10-29/ship-owner-in-baltimore-bridge-collapse-seeks-to-blame-others-as-liability-case-takes-shape

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Ah, yes . . . . the classic "The bridge was in the way" defense.

[Ramsey Barner]

2. "Your Honor, the bridge didn't move out of the ship's way quickly enough, and that's clearly negligent."

[Ray Bruns]

3. No. It's going to be, "If those illegal aliens weren't working on the bridge, we could have miraculously regained power

And steered the ship correctly.”

[marble falls]

4. Some vandal moved the bridge, yer honor.

[OnlinePoker]

5. Here's the thing I don't understand about the FSK bridge

If you look at it from above on Google Earth, there are two power polls on either side of the shipping channel. Both are protected by large fender systems that would divert a ship from hitting them. But there were no similar fender systems around the base of the main uprights to the bridge. This was an accident waiting to happen and I'm surprised it hadn't happened sooner as the mass of cargo ships entering the port got larger.

[republianmushroom]

6. Not me, it has to be somebody else's fault.

[Wonder Why]

7. "The crew was blinded by the 'Bridge Ahead' signs"

[Stargazer99]

8. Making sure your equipment is functioning properly is too expensive-until they get sued

you must not pick on business poor babies

[durablend]

9. Is the ship owner Republican?