The owners and managers of the container vessel M/V Dali, involved in the March 26, 2024, collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, have filed a lawsuit against the ship’s builder, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The suit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, claims a defectively designed switchboard caused a critical power outage, leading to the vessel’s loss of propulsion and steering, which resulted in the collision.

The complaint highlights a flaw in the under-voltage release (UVR) control circuit, where a labeling band placed too close to a wire’s ferrule allegedly prevented a secure electrical connection, tripping a circuit breaker and causing a 440-volt blackout. This aligns with the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) June 2024 findings, which noted an interruption in the ship’s main breaker control circuit.

Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine, the plaintiffs, are navigating a complex legal landscape. Federal prosecutors and the state of Maryland have filed separate lawsuits, accusing them of operating an unseaworthy vessel with known electrical issues. In response, the owners are pursuing a limitation-of-liability strategy while shifting blame to the shipbuilder.

Source: Maritime Cyprus