The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit seeking over $100 million in cleanup costs against the owner and manager of the cargo ship responsible for the Baltimore bridge collapse.
The lawsuit alleges that the ship’s mechanical and electrical systems were “jury-rigged” and improperly maintained, leading to a power outage that caused the vessel to crash into a bridge support column, resulting in the death of six construction workers.
The big picture: According to the lawsuit, the vessel’s owner and manager were negligent and reckless in sending an unseaworthy ship to navigate a critical waterway, resulting in a “completely avoidable” tragedy.
- The lawsuit details how the ship’s power failure led to a series of cascading failures, including the inability to deploy the anchor and utilize the bow thruster, ultimately leading to the bridge collapse.
Drive the news: The case follows the filing of claims by victims’ families and other parties seeking to hold the ship’s owner and manager fully liable for the disaster, while the companies have sought to limit their legal liability.
- The lawsuit presents technical details, including the ship’s history of power issues, a loose cable triggering an electrical blackout, and the alleged inadequate maintenance and safety concerns on the vessel.
