On behalf of the members of American Maritime Officers, our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are extended to the families and loved ones of the victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse following an allision involving a 984-foot Singapore-flagged containership, the DALI, in the early hours of March 26. Our union has many connections to Baltimore and greater Maryland – our members and their families, our colleagues, contemporaries, and others – who may be affected by this terrible incident. We extend our thanks and great appreciation to the first responders on the scene and to all those who acted to help save lives today, said AMO National President Willie Barrere.
The following statement was posted by the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, with which AMO is affiliated through the Seafarers International Union of North America.
The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, extends its most solemn condolences to the victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that occurred early Tuesday morning in Baltimore. At around 1:30 a.m., the Dali, a Singapore-flagged container vessel on its way to Sri Lanka, allided with the bridge. It is currently unknown how many individuals were on the bridge at the time of the incident, or how many casualties may have resulted from the event.
Many of the details of this incident will be subject to investigation as the situation unfolds. In addition to motorists who were on the bridge, potential victims may also include work crews who were performing maintenance on the span. Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a State of Emergency, and will be deploying federal assistance to the site of the collapse immediately. Rescue crews are currently on the scene, searching for survivors.
The MTD and its Baltimore Port Maritime Council hope with the fullest sincerity for the safety of those on the bridge during the time of the collapse, and we express our solidarity with the brave first responders who are assisting with the rescue and recovery effort. Along with the rest of the greater Baltimore-Washington community, we are keeping the families of those missing in our hearts and monitoring the situation closely.