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Published Jun 17, 2026Updated Jun 181
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Chief Engineer of Cargo Ship Dali Charged in Baltimore Bridge Collapse
The chief engineer of cargo ship Dali, Karthikeyan Deenadayalan, has been criminally charged with failing to notify the U.S. Coast Guard of hazardous conditions on the vessel prior to its March 2024 collision with Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge that killed six construction workers. A deferred prosecution agreement has been filed, though terms were not disclosed.
Quick Facts
- Chief engineer charged with violating Port and Waterways Safety Act
- Failure to notify Coast Guard of improper fuel pump without backup system
- Container ship Dali lost power twice in four minutes
- Ship crashed into bridge support column
- Deferred prosecution agreement filed
Prosecutors have charged Karthikeyan Deenadayalan, chief engineer of the container ship Dali, with violating federal maritime safety law in connection with the March 26, 2024 collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. Deenadayalan was charged in U.S. District Court in Maryland with one count of violating the Port and Waterways Safety Act, specifically for failing to notify the U.S. Coast Guard of hazardous conditions aboard the vessel.
According to court documents, Deenadayalan willfully failed to inform the Coast Guard that an improper fuel pump without a backup system was being used to power two of the ship's generators. The Dali, bound for Sri Lanka, lost power twice within four minutes as it departed the Port of Baltimore on the morning of March 26, 2024. Investigators determined that a loose wire in a switchboard caused the first power loss, resulting in steering failure. After the ship regained power, the fuel pump failed to automatically restart, causing a second blackout that sent the vessel into a supporting column of the bridge, killing six construction workers.
Prosecutors have filed a notice of a "deferred prosecution agreement" with the court, though specific terms were not disclosed. Deferred prosecution agreements typically allow defendants to have charges dismissed upon meeting certain conditions, such as providing testimony or paying restitution.
The charge against Deenadayalan represents one part of a broader legal response to the disaster. In May, Singapore-based ship operator Synergy Marine and the vessel's former technical superintendent Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair were indicted on multiple charges including conspiracy, misconduct causing death, and obstructing the National Transportation Safety Board. A trial in that case has been scheduled for October 2027. The ship's owner, Grace Ocean Private Limited, has not been charged with any crimes, though Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean reached a $2.25 billion settlement with the state of Maryland in April.
A federal judge recently agreed to postpone a civil trial over the collapse after a series of last-minute settlements resolved most outstanding claims, including all pending claims related to the deaths of the six construction workers. Remaining claims primarily allege economic losses by businesses and local governments.
Why This Matters
This case establishes critical accountability in maritime safety enforcement, signaling that individual crew members—not just corporations—can face criminal liability for safety violations that lead to catastrophic failures. For shipping industry stakeholders, the charge underscores the legal obligation to immediately report hazardous conditions to authorities; failure to do so can result in federal prosecution even when the direct cause involves multiple system failures. The deferred prosecution agreement suggests prosecutors are prepared to negotiate settlements that balance accountability with cooperation, which may influence how similar maritime incidents are handled in future enforcement actions.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1977
WireFrancis Scott Key Bridge opens
Mar 26, 2024
WireContainer ship Dali loses power twice and crashes into bridge, killing six construction workers
Jun 17, 2026
WireChief engineer Karthikeyan Deenadayalan charged with Port and Waterways Safety Act violation