Chief Engineer of Dali Charged in Key Bridge Incident

Federal prosecutors have recently added charges against Karthikeyan Deenadayalan, the chief engineer of the Dali container ship, in connection with the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster that occurred in March 2024. This marks the first time a crew member from the Dali has faced criminal charges related to the incident.

While Deenadayalan has been charged with violating the Port and Waterways Safety Act, a deferred prosecution agreement has been reached, allowing him to avoid a criminal conviction if he meets certain unspecified conditions. A public hearing is expected to be scheduled soon.

In a broader investigation that has lasted over two years, federal authorities previously indicted the ship's operator, Synergy Marine Group, and its technical superintendent on charges of conspiracy, obstruction, and misconduct resulting in death. Prosecutors allege that the disaster could have been prevented if Synergy had maintained the ship’s generators properly. They also accuse the company of using flushing pumps inappropriately and providing false information to investigators.

Synergy Marine Group has denied the allegations, asserting that the crew acted appropriately and claiming that the federal investigation overlooked important evidence. The company has also suggested that infrastructure issues related to the bridge itself contributed to the disaster, a view supported by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Previously charged was Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, who is accused of tampering with ship documents. Authorities believe he is currently in India and are pursuing his extradition.

Of the 21 crew members aboard the Dali at the time of the incident, most have returned to their home countries, while senior officers remain in the U.S. due to a security agreement that restricts their movement. Under this agreement, crew members receive accommodations and daily allowances but must surrender their passports, complicating their ability to travel.

As the case progresses, prosecutors are seeking a trial date in October 2027 and plan to subpoena witnesses for the upcoming proceedings.

Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).