Dali Crew Faces Extended Stay in Baltimore Following Key Bridge Collapse Trial Delay

Members of the crew from the Dali cargo vessel are expressing their frustration as they remain stranded in Baltimore following the Key Bridge collapse over two years ago. A recent court hearing confirmed that the criminal trial related to the incident is scheduled for October 2027, prolonging their situation.

Some crew members attended the hearing at the federal courthouse in Baltimore, despite not being implicated in any wrongdoing. Their employer, Synergy Marine, has advocated for their ability to travel while preparing for the upcoming trial.

In a letter to Judge James K. Bredar, Synergy Marine emphasized the adverse effects of the prolonged detention on the crew, stating, "Enough is enough. Security agreements are not meant to keep crew detained for years." The letter highlighted the crew's isolation and the risk to their professional skills and livelihoods.

Prosecutors countered that the security agreement is essential to ensure the crew's presence during the trial, which involves Synergy Marine, the Dali's owner Grace Ocean, and Radhakrishnan Nair, the vessel's technical superintendent. The government has faced challenges in securing Nair's presence in the U.S.

The case centers around allegations of negligence, claiming that the defendants concealed the use of a manual flushing pump that led to a blackout on the Dali, resulting in a collision with the Key Bridge in March 2024. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes indicated that the indictment suggests proper equipment could have prevented the incident.

Judge Bredar acknowledged the crew's difficult circumstances but ultimately sided with prosecutors by setting the trial for October 4, 2027, lasting potentially until November 19. Synergy's legal team requested a separation of their case from Nair's, but the judge did not make a ruling on this matter.

During the hearing, Synergy's attorney, Kiersten Carlson, expressed concerns over the travel restrictions affecting crew members and reiterated the company's commitment to their welfare.

In a separate development, Karthikeyan Deenadayalan, the Dali's chief engineer, was charged criminally this week, with a court appearance scheduled for Thursday.

Reported by HarborBeat based on CBS News (source).