The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has been left in ruins after a cargo ship named the Dali struck it, causing a catastrophic collapse. While the visual destruction is jarring, what is less visible is the plight of the 22 crew members from India who have been stuck on the ship since the disaster.
The crew members, who were on their way to Sri Lanka with 4,700 shipping containers, have found themselves in an unexpected spotlight as they work tirelessly to keep the ship operable amidst the wreckage. They are answering a deluge of questions from officials investigating the tragedy, all while dealing with the weight of responsibility for what occurred.
Despite the swift mayday call that helped save lives by stopping traffic from heading onto the bridge, the crew members are facing an uncertain future as they wait for the ship to be extracted from the wreckage. They are working long hours to maintain the ship, with limited access to the outside world.
While they have ample supplies of food and water, as well as fuel to keep the generators going, there is still no exact timeline for when they might be able to return home. The crew members, who work tirelessly on cargo ships with no weekends off, are now facing a new challenge as they wait for the debris to be cleared.
As the world watches and waits for updates on the situation, the crew members are receiving support from the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center and other organizations. They are being reminded that they are not alone in this difficult time and that help is available to them.
With so many questions still unanswered, the crew members are facing an uncertain future. But one thing is certain: they are not alone in this challenging time, and support is available to help them through this traumatic experience.
