The collision of the Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in 2024 was an uncommon consequence of a common occurrence in the maritime industry: power loss. Also known as a blackout, losing power on a ship leaves the crew unable to control its trajectory. According to a new analysis of statistics, power loss incidents are common and rising.
Increasing Maritime Power Loss Incidents
A study of U.S. Coast Guard data recently found more than 6,000 incidents of power loss, loss of steering, or loss of propulsion on large ships in the U.S. in the last 22 years. The statistics included cargo ships, container barges, cruise ships, and oil tankers, all large vessels that could result in disasters like the Baltimore bridge strike.
At least 900 of the recorded incidents occurred near bridges. Most were routine incidents, but several were considered significant, the difference often being how the crew handled the situation.
Once of these recorded incidents occurred in 2018 when the Strategic Alliance, a bulk carrier, lost power and propulsion north of the Commodore Barry Bridge on the Delaware River between Philadelphia and New Jersey. The crew were able to drop anchor in time and clear debris out of cooling water strainers to restore power.
In 2020, the Maersk container ship Chicago, lost power near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York, the longest suspension bridge in the U.S. The ship drifted just 500 feet from the bridge before tugboats were able to move it to safety.
Mechanical failures and power losses are more likely to occur in ports and harbors when crew are putting more stress on the ship. Since 2002, more than 2,500 of these incidents resulted in some degree of bridge strike. These types of mechanical failure incidents are on the rise, according to statistics.
What Causes Ship Blackouts?
Most power outages on ships go unnoticed in the media because they don’t cause disasters like the Dali incident. But they are more common than most people realize. There are hundreds of reasons a ship might black out.
Fuel incidents are common sources of power loss. Most large, ocean-going vessels run on heavy fuel oil, which must be filtered and purified onboard before being used. If it is very bad, it can clog strainers on the ship, causing loss of an engine and propulsion.
There are many other possible causes. Poor maintenance of fuel tanks can allow water to pool. An inexperienced crew can make errors that shut down the power. Lightning strikes, fires, and even fish clogging filters can cause power loss. Inattention and human error are common causes.
The statistics and past incidents indicate that significant bridge strikes, including those that cause injuries or fatalities, are rare. However, the conditions that can lead to these strikes are increasingly common. Better maintenance, more inspections and training, and more frequent use of tugboats could help reduce both the causes and resulting accidents.