Ship that obliterated Baltimore bridge was involved in a previous collision; managed by DEI-captive company



Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge is apparently not the first structure that the Dali has left its mark on in recent years. The Singapore-flagged container ship that obliterated the bridge and effectively closed the second-busiest port in the mid-Atlantic Tuesday morning previously had an incident in a Belgian port.

The Dali, a 984-foot vessel owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and managed by the DEI-captive Synergy Marine Group, collided with the stone pier in the Port of Antwerp during unmooring maneuvers on July 11, 2016.

The incident, which reportedly occurred on a clear day with good weather, resulted in significant damages to the stern and transom of the ship.

— (@)

VesselFinder noted at the time that the ship remained afloat but suffered breaches near the waterline as well as serious damage to its berth requiring repairs. The ship was detained and closed for cargo.

"As a general rule, these accidents are investigated, and ships are only allowed to leave after experts have determined it is safe for them to do so," a spokesman for the Port of Antwerp told Reuters.

The incident was reportedly the result of mistakes made by the master and pilot on board.

The same ship attempted to leave the Baltimore Harbor just after 1:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. However, while traveling at what Maryland Gov. Wes Moore indicated was a "very rapid speed," the ship allegedly lost power. The pilots alerted authorities but were evidently unable to arrest the ship's progress.

Blaze News previously reported that Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley claimed there is "absolutely no indication" that the Dali rammed into the bridge intentionally.

The FBI Baltimore field office indicated several hours after the incident that there "is no specific and credible information to suggest any ties to terrorism at this time."

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report suggested the Dali "lost propulsion" while leaving port and that the pilots alerted officials to their loss of control.

At 1:28 a.m., the unlit container ship careened into a pier holding up the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bridge, which spanned 1.6 miles over the Patapsco River, immediately collapsed.

Several vehicles atop the bridge at the time of the collision plunged into the frigid waters below. Two individuals were rescued, one of whom was in critical condition. Six were still missing at the time of publication.

The ship's all-Indian crew all survived.

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Synergy Marine Group, the company tasked with managing the ship, appears to have priorities besides avoiding collisions with critical infrastructure.

The company touts itself as a "leading shipmanager ... provid[ing] end-to-end maritime solutions with precisely and expertly tailored services."

Synergy Marine Group states on its website that "issues related to diversity are a high priority at Synergy. We realize that the benefits of diversity are best achieved by fostering greater inclusion and belonging."

The company indicated that its goal is a "workplace that is truly characterized by inclusion and belonging."

Days prior to paralyzing a major American port, the company underscored its commitment to "Diversity@Sea" and DEI.

Baltimore was apparently the company's latest stop on its "DEI journey in building an innovative and sustainable maritime sector which all can be proud of."

The company said in a statement that "whilst the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the 'DALI' has now mobilised its Qualified Individual Incident response service. The US Coast Guard and local officials have been notified, and the owners and managers are fully cooperating with Federal and State government agencies under an approved plan."

President Joe Biden suggested Tuesday afternoon that he had directed his administration "to ensure every federal resource is available to assist search and rescue efforts and response to this terrible incident."

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White SUV reportedly driven by Biden-Harris staffer 'may be' at fault for collision with Trump supporter's truck during caravan, cops say



Dying-on-their-hills Democrats have been beside themselves since video surfaced over the weekend showing vehicles festooned with flags supporting President Donald Trump surrounding a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris campaign bus on Interstate 35 in Texas.

The chairwoman of the Travis County Democratic Party claimed, "Today, @realDonaldTrump supporters followed the Biden bus throughout central Texas to intimidate Biden supporters. They ran into a person's car, yelling curse words and threats. Don't let bullies win, vote."

Today, @realDonaldTrump supporters followed the Biden bus throughout central Texas to intimidate Biden supporters.… https://t.co/zQj4w2cMzm
— Katie Naranjo (@Katie Naranjo)1604098527.0

There was even video of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Trump supporter in a black pickup bashing into a white SUV, which some members of the Texas Democrats' campaign say was being driven by a Biden-Harris staffer, KXAN-TV reported:

FBI investigating alleged harassment of Biden campaign bus in Texas youtu.be

But it seems an honest look at the infamy-filled moment could possibly lead one to conclude that the white SUV maybe, just maybe, wasn't staying in his or her lane — as leftists are so fond of saying these days. After which the driver of the black pickup made sure the other driver didn't get any closer.

Conservative commentator Dana Loesch tweeted images of the incident that appear to show as much:

These are not forged, @DanRather https://t.co/fxGt9g7VFb
— Dana Loesch (@Dana Loesch)1604278446.0

Was it distracted driving on the part of the person operating the white SUV? A big ol' Texas bug on the steering wheel? Or is said motorist simply a Dallas Cowboys fan?

Listen to what the man said

In regard to the collision in question, San Marcos police said they researched the crash and watched online video and said "the at-fault vehicle may be the white SUV, and the victim appears to be the black truck," KXAN reported.

Police added that "calls to the driver of the white SUV have gone unanswered, and SMPD has not been contacted by the driver of the black truck. Since SMPD has not spoken to either driver at this time, additional investigation would be required to fully ascertain who was at fault," the station noted.

The statement added that involved parties could contact San Marcos police if they wanted to file a report, KXAN said.

Anything else?

The incident led the Biden campaign to cancel three Texas events on Friday. Trump, as you might imagine, loved the show of support:

I LOVE TEXAS! https://t.co/EP7P3AvE8L
— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1604191274.0

Trump also tweeted that his supporters on the highway "did nothing wrong":

This story is FALSE. They did nothing wrong. But the ANTIFA Anarchists, Rioters and Looters, who have caused so muc… https://t.co/BwnKbzRFHT
— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1604330263.0

The FBI is reportedly looking into the incident.