On Saturday, federal agents boarded a container ship docked at the Port of Baltimore, which is operated by the same firm involved in the recent Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, as confirmed by authorities.

“Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, and Coast Guard Investigative Services are conducting authorized law enforcement operations aboard the Maersk Saltoro,” said Angelina Thompson, a spokesperson from the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for Maryland, in a statement to YSL News.

The Saltoro is operated by Synergy Marine Group, which also managed the Dali ship that crashed into the bridge on March 26, leading to its collapse into the Patapsco River. Tragically, six individuals working on the bridge lost their lives, and the incident caused significant delays at the Port of Baltimore.

According to a report by The Washington Post, journalists witnessed the Saltoro entering the harbor early Saturday, with federal agents lined up on the dock by the ship.

As of now, it remains uncertain if the FBI’s actions on Saturday are connected to the ongoing investigation regarding the bridge collapse, and the agencies have stated they will not provide additional comments. Synergy Marine Group has not responded to requests for a statement as of Saturday.

Government Files Lawsuit Against Dali’s Owners

This past week, the Department of Justice initiated a civil lawsuit seeking $103 million from Synergy Marine Private Limited and Grace Ocean Private Limited, the owners of the Dali, to recover costs incurred in responding to the accident and clearing debris in order to facilitate the port’s reopening in June.

The lawsuit also seeks further damages that have yet to be determined. The Justice Department has accused the companies of negligence.

“This tragedy was entirely preventable, caused by a series of clear mistakes made by the Dali’s operators,” stated Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

According to initial findings from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Dali experienced power failures twice before departing from the Port of Baltimore. The companies managing the Dali have previously filed a motion to limit their liability, a move that the city of Baltimore is contesting.

The owners have indicated that they were prepared for the claims and expressed their eagerness to clear their name in court.

Furthermore, the families of the six men who died when the bridge collapsed, the company employing the workers, and a survivor of the incident have also initiated claims against the companies, ahead of a September 24 deadline.

Contributions from: N’dea Yancey-Bragg, YSL News; Reuters