Transcripts Reveal Technical Failures Before Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024, engineering focus has shifted to the technical factors surrounding the incident and the challenges ahead for reconstruction. The collapse occurred after the container ship Dali lost power and steering, resulting in a direct collision that led to the failure of a major structural span. Six construction workers lost their lives in the incident.

According to transcripts released by the National Transportation Safety Board, multiple alarms were detected the day before the crash. These were reported by the ship’s crew but marked as “nominal” for an unspecified condition. Hours later, an incident report was requested by the ship’s master to document all details. Despite these efforts, at 1:24 a.m. on March 26, several alarms were triggered again. Four minutes later, the ship lost steering control, rendering it incapable of avoiding the bridge.

Engineering investigations revealed that the ship suffered two electrical blackouts before departure, which contributed to the vessel’s propulsion and steering failure. While anchor deployment was attempted, experts noted it would not have slowed a vessel of this mass and momentum. Warnings from the pilots succeeded in stopping most vehicle traffic on the bridge before the impact, but the construction crew on-site was unable to evacuate in time.

Future construction efforts to replace the bridge will require advanced structural and impact resistance measures. Current cost estimates approach $1.9 billion. Investigations into ship system failures and responsibility are ongoing, while the engineering community prepares for the complex reconstruction task that lies ahead.

Check out the following video on the New transcripts show moments before deadly Baltimore bridge collapse.