Who was piloting the Dali cargo ship that caused the Baltimore Key Bridge to collapse?
The fatal collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has sparked several conspiracy theories including about who was piloting the vessel.
The accident the resulted in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, that resulted in the death of six construction workers, has sparked a number of conspiracy theories. One of them that has gone viral is that a Ukrainian pilot was at the helm of the cargo ship Dali when it slammed into the support pylon.
However, that unfounded claim has been thoroughly debunked based on Maryland port regulations and information provided Synergy Marine Group, the corporate owner of the Dali.
Ukrainian falsely blamed for Francis Scott Key collapse
The supposed evidence to support the false claims that the Dali’s pilot at the time of the crash came from a website that provides a database for the shipping industry. The Baltic Shipping website allows users to post their work experience and companies to present job openings comparable to LinkedIn but specific to the maritime industry.
A screenshot of the website posted on social media falsely purports to show two crew members of the Dali, one of whom is listed as the ‘Master’, or captain, who is of Ukrainian nationality. While the individual did have the Dali listed as part of his employment history, it was during a five month period from March to July in 2016 Snopes reports. The man’s profile has since been blocked on the website.
According to press updates from the Dali’s corporate owner, Synergy Marine Group, the entire crew of 22 consisted of Indian nationals. However, when the tragic accident occurred, the vessel was being helmed by US citizens as required under law by Maryland port regulations.
Who was piloting the Dali cargo ship that caused the Baltimore Key bridge to collapse?
“Each ship engaged in foreign trade coming to Maryland ports is required to take on a local ship handling specialist, known as the Pilot, to navigate the vessel safely into port,” states the Maryland Pilots Association. So, before ships that are engaged in foreign trade, like the Dali, enter Maryland’s waterways, a Maryland pilot boards the vessel and takes over navigational control. They give the crew orders to manage the direction and speed.
“Pilots are regulated by the State of Maryland under the Department of Labor, State Board of Pilots.” The agency supervises “the selection, training, licensing, and regulation of all State Pilots.”
Furthermore, “Maryland’s Pilots are on call around the clock every day of the year no matter what the weather conditions may be,” explains the association which was established in 1852.