Ship crew still stuck seven weeks after bridge disaster

Nearly two dozen sailors have been trapped aboard a massive container ship in Baltimore for the past seven weeks, forced to remain on board even as explosives rocked the vessel during a controlled demolition of a collapsed bridge. The Dali, a 948-foot (289-meter) ship, was on its way from Baltimore to Sri Lanka when it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, causing the entire structure to collapse into the Patapsco River, claiming the lives of six construction workers.

In the aftermath of this devastating event, the 21-member crew, consisting of 20 Indian nationals and one Sri Lankan citizen, found themselves trapped aboard the ship. This has been said it is due to a lack of required shore passes, and ongoing investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FBI. On Monday, as authorities used small explosive charges to deliberately cut an expanse of the bridge lying on the ship's bow, the crew remained below deck for their safety.

According to US Coast Guard Admiral Shannon Gilreath, the crew is an integral part of the ship's operations and is necessary to keep it staffed and operational. "They're part of the ship. They are necessary to keep the ship staffed and operational," Adm Gilreath said. "They're the best responders on board the ship themselves."

While the ship is likely to be re-floated this week, it remains uncertain when it will be able to make the short journey to port. The situation has left the crew isolated and unable to communicate with their families, as their mobile phones were confiscated by the FBI as part of the investigation.

Joshua Messick, executive director of the Baltimore International Seafarers' Center, a non-profit organization that works to protect the rights of mariners, has been in touch with the crew. "They can't do any online banking. They can't pay their bills at home. They don't have any of their data or anyone's contact information, so they're really isolated right now," Messick said.

The plight of the sailors has also caught the attention of the two unions representing them, the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen. In a joint statement, the unions expressed concern over the crew's morale, driven by an "unfounded fear of personal criminal liability" and emotional distress.

The statement called for the "swift return" of the crews' phones, noting that losing communication with family members is "causing significant hardship for crew members with young children at home." Dave Heindel, the president of the Seafarers International Union, echoed these sentiments, stating that "however long the investigation takes, the crew's rights and welfare should not be infringed upon."

Andrew Middleton, who runs Apostleship of Sea, a program that ministers to ships coming through Baltimore, visited the sailors two weeks ago and found them in "good spirits" despite constant worries. "Once we broke the ice and got everyone to say their name and what part of India they were from, and talk about if they were married or had children, we got the ball rolling," he said.

For now, the crew has been given SIM cards and temporary mobile phones without data included, according to Messick. They have also received care packages from various community groups and private individuals, including batches of Indian snacks and handmade quilts.

Darrel Wilson, a spokesperson for Synergy Marine, the Dali's Singapore-based management company, told the BBC that the crew is "holding up well" and that company representatives dispatched to Baltimore have been "checking on them constantly, from day one." He added that shipments of catered Indian food have been sent aboard to allow the cooks to rest.

While the crew is integral to the ship's functioning and the ongoing investigations, Messick expects that small groups of sailors will be eligible for shore passes once the Dali is moved out of the shipping channel. However, their movements will likely be heavily restricted, and they may be required to have an escort for the duration of their time on shore.

Messick is working to organize activities for the crew during their potential shore leave, such as a cricket match or visits to contemplative, natural settings, as requested by some crew members, including the ship's captain. "We're just trying to help them breathe a bit," he said. "They've been stuck on board this whole time. They need to enjoy a little more of the freedom that we enjoy every day."

As the investigation into the bridge collapse continues, the fate of the Dali's crew remains uncertain. However, efforts are being made by various organizations and individuals to support their well-being and ensure their rights are upheld during this challenging situation.

The Dali, a 948-foot (289-meter) ship, was on its way from Baltimore to Sri Lanka when it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, causing the entire structure to collapse into the Patapsco River, leaving six construction workers dead.

Since the incident, the 21-member crew, comprising 20 Indians and one Sri Lankan national, has been unable to disembark due to visa restrictions, a lack of required shore passes, and ongoing investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FBI.