BALTIMORE — Federal prosecutors have charged Synergy Marine Group, Synergy Maritime and one employee in connection with the March 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, alleging a conspiracy to conceal dangerous safety violations aboard the Dali container ship that contributed to the disaster and led to the deaths of six.

The indictment charges Singapore-based Synergy Marine Group, India-based Synergy Maritime and Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, a 47-year-old Indian citizen who served as the Dali’s technical superintendent, with conspiracy, obstruction of an agency proceeding, false statements and willingly failing to immediately notify the U.S. Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition aboard the vessel.

Prosecutors allege the companies operated the Dali with an unauthorized fuel system that bypassed critical safety safeguards meant to prevent a total loss of power. The two corporations also face misdemeanor charges under the Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act and Refuse Act for pollution released into the Patapsco River after the crash, including oil, shipping containers and debris.

“The indictment reveals a pattern of deception and egregious violations that led to the unsafe operation of the Dali, which recklessly endangered the public and resulted in the ship striking the bridge,” said Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, speaking at a Tuesday news conference. “This indictment should send a message to all ship operators that circumventing safety requirements and breaking U.S. laws will not be tolerated.”

Breaking down the indictment

According to the indictment, the Dali suffered two blackouts in four minutes as it departed the Port of Baltimore before slamming into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. Investigators allege a loose wire in a high-voltage switchboard likely triggered the first outage. Although the vessel briefly regained power, prosecutors say operators had altered the ship’s fuel system and relied on a flushing pump never designed for continuous operation.

Unlike the ship’s approved backup systems, the flushing pump could not automatically restart after a blackout, leaving the Dali without propulsion or steering control as it approached the bridge. Federal authorities allege the ship would have regained power in time to safely clear the span had it been using the proper fuel supply pumps.

The indictment further alleges that crew members and shore-side personnel concealed repeated safety problems, including prior blackouts and hazardous operating conditions that should have been reported to the Coast Guard. Prosecutors also allege that Nair later falsely told National Transportation Safety Board investigators he was unaware the Dali was using the flushing pump to supply fuel to its generators.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche called the indictment “a critical step toward holding accountable those whose reckless disregard for maritime safety regulations caused this disaster.” Speaking at Tuesday’s news conference, Blanche said the collapse caused more than $5 billion in economic damage, shut down shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore for weeks and released pollutants into the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay.

If convicted of the charges, the two companies face up to five years of probation for each felony count. Hayes said they could also be fined up to $10 billion, which is twice the loss caused by the collision.

If Nair is convicted of all the charges he faces, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Why the delay?

The indictment was filed on April 8 and remained under seal for more than a month. Asked Tuesday about the delay, U.S. Attorney for Maryland Kelly Hayes said she couldn’t comment on that right now.

“At the appropriate time, we can certainly reveal that information,” Hayes said.

The March 26, 2024, collapse killed six roadwork crew members who were filling potholes on the bridge overnight when the Dali struck a main support pier. The disaster severed a critical transportation link for the Baltimore region and triggered months of salvage operations and economic disruption tied to the temporary closure of the Port of Baltimore.

Paul said that over the past two years, the FBI executed more than 24 federal search warrants, located witnesses “across the globe,” conducted nearly 200 interviews, and spent “hundreds” of hours reviewing data.

“FBI investigators became experts in the complex inner workings of these ships and the rules and regulations that govern this industry,” he said.

Hayes said Tuesday that the Department of Justice believes Nair is in India. She said her office will use all available tools to attempt to bring Nair to the U.S. to face his charges.

The criminal investigation into the collapse is ongoing, Hayes said, and her office will bring additional charges “if and when appropriate.”

She said the remaining crew members are not in law enforcement custody.

“My understanding is they are being held here by agreement,” Hayes said. “We will continue to work with the appropriate authorities to determine their status moving forward.”

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