Baltimore, MD, USA - June 24, 2024

The Dali, the cargo ship responsible for the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, has finally left the city after extensive repairs. The vessel set sail on Monday morning local time, bound for Virginia, nearly three months after the incident claimed the lives of six construction workers.

The bridge collapse occurred when the Dali struck a supporting column due to a power failure onboard, as determined by investigators. After being refloated in May, the ship spent two months at port with significant damage, including a steel truss entangled across its bow.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the ship experienced multiple power outages before the collision, leading to a loss of control that directed it into the bridge. The NTSB continues to investigate the electrical failures, while the FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the incident.

Following a federal judge's agreement, the ship's crew, previously restricted from leaving, has been allowed to depart, provided they remain available for questioning. On Monday, assisted by four tugboats, the 984ft (300m) Dali embarked on its journey to Virginia International Gateway, where it will unload around 1,500 cargo containers to reduce draft.

From there, the vessel is slated to undergo further salvage and repairs at Virginia's Norfolk International Terminal. The US Coast Guard is overseeing the operation, maintaining a safety zone of 500 yards (457m) around the ship during its transit.

Earlier this month, authorities cleared the Fort McHenry federal channel, facilitating the resumption of maritime traffic after the removal of debris caused by the bridge collapse. Plans are underway to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, with officials aiming for completion by 2028.