'Most of Indian crew stuck onboard the ship that crashed into Baltimore bridge are from Kerala'

As the salvage crew began removing containers from the deck of the cargo ship named Dali that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore which ultimately led to its collapse, the Director of the Apostleship of the Sea, recalled his experience when he first heard the news.

The director of a Baltimore ministry was the man who met the Dali crew a day before the tragic incident. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Middleton gave insights about the crew and the ongoing operation in the region.

“I first came into contact with the crew of the Dali on Sunday morning. They had reached out to me requesting for transportation and shopping services,” Middleton recalled when asked about how he first met the crew of the Dali.

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For years, his organisation have been helping the seafarers with crucial resources they will be requiring while embarking on a long voyage. “We’re just a friendly face to welcome them into Baltimore and we try to welcome them as we would welcome Christ,” Middleton highlighted as he elucidated the work of the catholic ministry.

The horrific morning

When asked about what was his first reaction when he found out that the Bridge had collapsed. Middleton recalled the horrific moment he realised that the Dalli crew was involved in the accident.

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“On Tuesday morning around 5:30, while I was getting ready for work. I turned the radio on and the first thing I heard was about the bridge collapsing,” Middleton told Firstpost.

“So I ran to turn the television on. And at that point, within 30 seconds or so. I heard them say the name of the vessel that struck the bridge and my first thought was… I was just with those guys yesterday,” he recalled.

Middleton soon realised that he had a way to get in touch with the crew, hence he grabbed his phone and sent a text message to one of the members onboard.

“I ran and grabbed my work phone and sent one of them a message. Just asking if everybody was was safe and if everybody was okay. He (one of the crew members) replied within a few minutes that everyone was okay. I just kind of reassured him that we would be here for them if they needed anything,” he said.

It is pertinent to note that this text exchange was the first publicly reported communication from a mariner aboard the vessel, which lost its power and slammed into the bridge.

Middleton emphasised that since then he has kept a “friendly” communication with them, and stated that he is regularly keeping a check on the crew.

‘Every crew member has an assigned job’ 

With years of experience in working with seafarers, Middleton noted that every crew member has “an assigned job”. He mentioned that while the captain of the vessel is in charge of the ship, they always get help from the second and third officers and even the pilot.

When further asked who was in charge of the vessel when it collided with the ship, Middleton highlighted that the roles are divided and the pilot helps the captain in navigating the ship.

“I’m no expert on this but my understanding is that the pilot is on board to navigate the body of water that they would be sailing in. The pilot is kind of the local expert on navigation water and is usually aware of impediments to that navigation that might happen or that might be present under the surface of the water that you can’t see with your eyes,” Middleton explained.

“That’s kind of their job is to assist the captain and navigate the vessel,” he added.

More details about the crew

While speaking to Firstpost, Middleton revealed that 21 out of 22 crew members were from India and one of them was from Sri Lanka. He mentioned that the majority of the crew member were from the state of Kerala and their age ranged from the early 20s to the late 50s.

“They were grateful for the services we were able to provide before they sailed. And I’ve tried not to ask too many questions. My question has always been is everyone okay? I don’t want to be too intrusive,” he remarked.

With the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigating the matter, the identity of the crew members has not been disclosed as of now. The people involved are still onboard the ship out of respect for the ongoing investigation.

When asked if the crew members had contacted their loved ones, Middleton pointed out that they had provided the crew with WiFi and data services so that they could remain in touch with the rest of the world.

“For the Dali, one of the first needs that was identified was establishing some way of communication via cell phones. I was able to get enough SIM cards for the entire crew so that they can have a good line of communication with family back home,” he said.

“The other seafarer centre in Baltimore and the ITF which is the seafarers union were able to secure enough WiFi hotspots for all vessels that are currently trapped here in Baltimore. I think two of those devices went out to Dali, so they have WiFi and SIM Cards,” Middleton furthered.

With the NTSB and US Coast Guards investigating the matter and the bridge restoration currently underway, Middleton noted that keeping direct contact with the crew has been a hard task.

The significance of the bridge 

Middleton emphasised that the Bridge was one of the major routes that connected the city of Baltimore to four surrounding counties. “I’ve lived here all my life and growing up within eye-shot off that bridge, I never imagined that it wouldn’t be there,” he said.

When it comes to the sea route Middleton emphasised that the port of Baltimore was crucial not only to the region but to the United States. “The port of Baltimore was number one in the US in terms of farm equipment that moved in and out of the port. We were also number one in terms of coal export.”

“Overall, the supply chain and the ability to move everything is heavily impacted now,” he maintained, adding that the disruption of the route has a significant impact on the world’s population as well.

When will things get back to normal? 

Middleton mentioned that the US Army Corps of Engineers released a timeline in which they plan to open the temporary channels in the area by the end of April. “The channel might completely be opened by the end of May,” he said.

The director of the Catholic ministry mentioned that the authorities have opened smaller channels for the transportation of salvage equipment to the north side of the bridge.

How did the pandemic become a good teacher?

When asked about the Apostleship of the Sea’s work during the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, Middleton pointed out how the lockdown period prepared them to deal with the current situation.

“COVID was a tough time for the sea fearers since they were limited to pretty much the vessels (due to lockdown restrictions in the region). That was good training or preparation for an incident like this,” Middleton recalled.

He insisted that the pandemic taught the group how to quickly change gears and provide seafarers with crucial resources.

After Dali’s coalition with the bridge, several vessels travelling from the route are still stuck in the region. Middleton’s organisation have been helping other vessels to get important resources.

Due to more access to these ships, the group was able to spend time with the stranded crew members and even provided them with books magazines and DVDs that could occupy their time.

“My heart really goes out to these guys on the Dali right now. How heartbreaking it must be to be able to see dry land and not get on it. There are a lot of people around the world who are praying for them,” he concluded.