caused a breaker to unexpectedly open<\/span><\/a>, launching a sequence of events that led to two vessel blackouts and a loss of propulsion and steering.<\/p>\nSynergy Marine, based in Singapore, and Synergy Maritime, based in Chennai, India, along with Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, 47, an Indian national who worked for both companies as the technical superintendent for the Dali, were charged with conspiracy to defraud the US and with causing the death of six construction workers on the bridge, among other charges. Prosecutors said Nair is believed to be in India.<\/p>\n
The companies and Nair are also charged with providing false statements and documents to the NTSB.<\/p>\n
The two Synergy corporations were charged with violations of the Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, and Refuse Act for the discharge of pollutants into the Patapsco River.<\/p>\n
According to the indictment, the Dali lost power twice in a four-minute span as it was leaving the Port of Baltimore, causing it to crash into the Key Bridge.<\/p>\n
The Justice Department said the defendants are accused of relying on a flushing pump to supply fuel to two of the Dali\u2019s four generators but the flushing pump was not designed to automatically restart following a blackout, and the Dali\u2019s generators could not operate without a fuel supply.<\/p>\n
The indictment alleges that if the Dali was using proper fuel supply pumps, the vessel would have regained power in time to safely navigate under the bridge. REUTERS<\/p>\n