What is a “loss of propulsion”? The possible cause of the Dali crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge

The search continues for survivors of the Baltimore bridge disatser. A very likely cause of the accident is a failure in the boat.

“The ship notified the MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the ship and that a collision with the bridge was possible. The ship collided with the bridge causing a total collapse,” explained a report from the Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Security Agency.

Problems on the boat

A loss of propulsion refers to the complete or significant inability of the boat’s engine or motor to generate enough power to move forward effectively. It’s a critical situation because without propulsion, the boat can no longer maintain control. The captain loses the ability to steer and maneuver the boat as intended, making it difficult to avoid hazards or navigate currents. The boat will slow down considerably or come to a complete halt, potentially putting it in danger of collisions with other vessels or becoming a hazard itself.

A drifting boat with no control over its movement becomes a hazard to other boats in the area, increasing the risk of incidents like that seen in Baltimore.

The cause of the loss have power has not yet been explained. It can be a result of an engine failure, propeller issues, or human error.