Two years after the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Justice Department has announced criminal charges against two foreign companies and a technical superintendent involved in the incident.
Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, based in Singapore, and Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd, headquartered in Chennai, India, along with Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, 47, who served as the technical superintendent for the vessel “Dali,” face charges that include conspiracy, willful failure to notify the Coast Guard of a hazardous condition, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and making false statements.
The bridge’s collapse claimed the lives of six highway workers and severed a crucial artery to one of the United States’ largest shipping ports.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland detailed the charges at a Baltimore press conference, stating, “The investigation uncovered a network of deceit involving fabricated safety inspections and certifications.”
She also noted that Nair, an Indian national, is believed to be in India. “We are committed to using all available law enforcement tools to bring him to justice,” Hayes emphasized.
The FBI and U.S. Coast Guard launched a criminal investigation following the crash, detaining several non-U.S. crew members in the country as part of their ongoing inquiry.
A report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued last December identified a loose signal wire as the catalyst for the disaster.
This oversight led to an electrical failure on the Dali, which subsequently collided with the bridge. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy highlighted the challenge of diagnosing such issues, comparing it to “finding a loose bolt in the Eiffel Tower,” CNN reported.
The NTSB also revealed that the Maryland Transportation Authority had overlooked significant structural risks in the bridge, which had never been adequately evaluated before the accident.
The indictment against Synergy and Nair alleges unauthorized modifications to the Dali, including reliance on a flushing pump to fuel generators.
This pump was not designed to restart after a blackout, leading to a second power failure and the eventual crash. According to the Justice Department, had the ship not depended on this pump, the power outage might have been averted.
FBI Special Agent Jimmy Paul criticized the ship’s operators, asserting, “The bridge was struck because those responsible for the ship’s operation deliberately cut corners, compromising safety.”
In response to the charges, Synergy Marine issued a statement defending their position, citing the NTSB’s findings that attributed the crash to external factors beyond their control.
“We are deeply disappointed by the U.S. Attorney’s decision, which disregards the well-documented findings of maritime professionals,” the company stated, questioning the timing of the charges ahead of a civil trial set to begin June 1.
