In a recent development, the U.S. Justice Department has taken legal action against the owner and manager of the cargo ship that caused the tragic Baltimore bridge collapse. The department has filed a lawsuit seeking to recover more than $100 million from Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group, both based in Singapore, to cover the costs incurred in clearing the underwater debris and reopening the city's port.

The lawsuit, filed in Maryland, provides a detailed account of the series of failures on the vessel known as the Dali, leading to the devastating incident. According to the Justice Department, the mechanical and electrical systems on the ship were found to be "jury-rigged" and improperly maintained, culminating in a power outage just moments before it crashed into a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. Tragically, six construction workers lost their lives as the bridge collapsed into the water.

The Justice Department alleges that the companies involved had recklessly cut corners and ignored known electrical problems, compromising the safety of the crew and the vessel itself. The lawsuit states that these actions were motivated by the desire to conduct business in American ports, but put lives and critical infrastructure at risk through their negligence.

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Grace Ocean stated that the owner and manager had no comment on the merits of the claim but look forward to presenting their case in court. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has refrained from providing information about any ongoing criminal investigation into the collapse, despite FBI agents boarding the vessel in April.

The incident occurred as the Dali was leaving Baltimore for Sri Lanka and experienced a power loss due to steering failure. The resulting collapse of the bridge led to significant disruptions in commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore, which finally returned to normal in June, following months of recovery efforts.

Following the bridge collapse, Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine filed a court petition in an attempt to limit their legal liability. However, the Justice Department has strongly opposed this bid, declaring lack of legal support for the companies' claim and vowing to vigorously contest it.

Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the department's civil claim is aimed at holding the responsible parties accountable for the costs associated with clearing the channel and reopening the port, rather than burdening the American taxpayer. This comes a day after the families of the victims announced their intention to file a claim against the ship's owner and manager for their loved ones' tragic deaths.

Brawner Builders, the employer of the six victims, has also filed its own claim for damages. The company not only suffered the loss of cherished employees but also the construction equipment and vehicles that were in use at the time.

Documents released by the National Transportation Safety Board shed light on several issues with the Dali, including the discovery of a loose cable that triggered an electrical blackout similar to the one experienced near the bridge. The vessel had already encountered power issues while still docked in Baltimore, resulting in the stall of one diesel engine.

The Justice Department's complaint further highlights the ship's "excessive vibrations," which are known to cause transformer and electrical failure. Rather than addressing the source of these vibrations, crew members reportedly resorted to makeshift fixes, leading to compromised equipment and broken electrical components.

Investigators also found cracked equipment, loose nuts and bolts, and broken electrical cable ties, indicating the poor condition of the ship's electrical systems. Moreover, an independent agency suspended further electrical testing due to safety concerns, further highlighting the negligence surrounding the vessel's maintenance.

The lawsuit finally points out that if the ship's transformer and breaker systems had been in automatic mode instead of manual during the incident, power and steering would not have been lost, preventing the devastating tragedy from occurring. The complaint further alleges that a separate problem with the ship's fuel pumps, resulting from a cost-cutting measure, led to the power outage recurring.

As this legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how the courts will assess the allegations of negligence against Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine. The outcome of the case will not only determine the financial responsibilities of the companies but could also set a precedent for ensuring accountability in maritime incidents.