Unveiling the Final Moments: Dali's Transcript Sheds Light on the Key Bridge Incident

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A recent publication by Fox Baltimore reveals a harrowing 74-page audio transcript from the containership Dali, detailing the events that led to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore back in March 2024.

On March 26, 2024, during the early hours, the singapore-flagged Dali was set to leave Port of Baltimore for Sri Lanka. Everything seemed fine as two Maryland pilots—one seasoned and one still learning—engaged in casual chatter with crew members about everyday topics like their favorite coffee and potential delays due to piracy risks in certain waters.

Though, at precisely 12:16 a.m., when asked if all systems were operational, the captain assured everything was “in order.” This claim would later be scrutinized as misleading. Just ten hours prior to departure, while docked at Seagirt Marine Terminal, Dali had already experienced two electrical failures. The captain had directed his chief engineer to compile a report for their shipping company but failed to notify either the U.S. Coast guard or his pilots about these critical issues—a legal requirement that went unheeded.

Fast forward to around 1:24 a.m., alarms blared on board as power cut out once more. The trainee pilot nervously remarked “Uh oh,” while his senior counterpart urgently sought confirmation on whether they still had steering capabilities.

In an attempt to regain control of their situation,crew members sprang into action; orders were given for anchoring down and contacting bridge control about halting traffic on Key Bridge. Sadly,despite these efforts,they remained on course for disaster.

By approximately 1:27 a.m., panic escalated when the training pilot issued an urgent radio call stating that dali had lost power and was approaching key Bridge. A last-ditch command for full bow thruster activation came just seconds before impact—but it was met with disheartening news: “No. It’s not working.”

Moments later came an earth-shattering crash as Dali collided with one of Key Bridge’s main support columns. The final sounds captured included frantic exclamations from both pilots followed by chilling laughter from one trainee who remarked grimly about their predicament just before chaos ensued.

Tragically,six construction workers repairing potholes on the bridge lost their lives due to this incident. In immediate response post-collision, both pilots reached out for emergency assistance while grappling with what went wrong during those fateful moments.

“I called [the pilot dispatcher] when we started drifting,” recounted one pilot during interviews afterward. They expressed confusion over how things spiraled out of control so quickly despite feeling everything was manageable initially.The State of Maryland alongside federal authorities has since filed lawsuits against Grace ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine pte Ltd., alleging negligence regarding prior electrical failures which were never rectified or disclosed properly before setting sail again—the government labeling Dali as “abjectly unseaworthy.”

Maryland officials have also pointed fingers at the ship’s master who misled them into believing all systems were functioning correctly despite knowledge of previous blackouts—a key point now under investigation.

Following this tragedy, investigators from NTSB spoke with various crew members including second officer Alan Babu who recalled waking up just before experiencing that first blackout earlier in March; he witnessed firsthand as chaos unfolded leading up to bridge collapse moments later—and questioned whether dropping anchor sooner could have made any difference in avoiding disaster.

Meanwhile Rajan—the helmsman—opted not speculate further but confirmed he felt no particular way regarding decisions made onboard during those critical minutes leading up to impact.

The former chief engineer Dhurai Balaji shared insights based on years spent aboard large vessels noting he’d encountered several blackout incidents throughout his career yet believed current engineering staff possessed adequate qualifications necessary for safe operations aboard such ships.

Currently under scrutiny by U.S authorities are several crew members remaining stationed within Baltimore awaiting further developments related investigations ongoing into this incident.

Dali eventually relocated its damaged cargo—including tons upon tons worth soybeans—to norfolk Virginia where much got discarded following repairs needed after collision occured; it has since returned back into service after sailing off towards China initially post-incident.

As demolition plans commence this summer concerning remaining sections left standing above Patapsco River along with new construction expected soon thereafter estimated costs nearing $2 billion dollars total investment required moving forward towards rebuilding efforts ahead!

additionally over twenty individuals plus businesses are gearing up lawsuits against State Maryland suggesting possible negligence surrounding safety measures taken beforehand ensuring structural integrity bridges maintained adequately throughout years past!