As costs soar, who foots the bill for Baltimore bridge collapse?
By Jack Aylmer (Anchor), Evan Hummel (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Baltimore bridge collapse: Biden to visit Friday as cleanup continues
Click to see story on The IndependentSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on abc NewsBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to survey Key Bridge damage
Click to see story on CNNBiden says he’ll visit Baltimore this week as response to bridge collapse continues
Click to see story on CBS NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Star TribuneHeadline Unavailable
Click to see story on PoliticoBiden Will Travel to Baltimore on Friday After Bridge Collapse
Click to see story on U.S. NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site – West Hawaii Today
Click to see story on West Hawaii TodayFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on The Philadelphia TribuneHeadline Unavailable
Click to see story on ReutersA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore site
Click to see story on NZ HeraldFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on KRDOBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to survey Key Bridge damage
Click to see story on KIFIBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to visit bridge collapse
Click to see story on The HillSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on The Billings GazetteTrapped vessels start moving out of Baltimore after bridge collapse
Click to see story on DevdiscourseChannel opened for vessels clearing wreckage at Baltimore bridge site
Click to see story on Penn LiveChannel opens, 3-D images released as Key Bridge salvage operations begin
Click to see story on WBAL-TVA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on MissoulianA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Montana StandardA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on njBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to survey Key Bridge damage
Click to see story on KWWLSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on KCRGBiden to visit the site of the Baltimore bridge collapse on Friday
Click to see story on El Tiempo LatinoSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily TimesA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site – Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Click to see story on Hawaii Tribune-HeraldBaltimore bridge collapse causing issues for Erie imports
Click to see story on YOURERIEBiden heads to Baltimore this week to assess bridge collapse damage
Click to see story on Scripps NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on WavyBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to survey Key Bridge damage
Click to see story on abc12/WJRTSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Daily Local NewsBaltimore bridge collapse will cost millions
Click to see story on DC News Now | Washington, DCWhite House Says President Biden to Visit Baltimore on Friday
Click to see story on C- SpanHeadline Unavailable
Click to see story on Washington TimesBiden to visit site of Baltimore bridge collapse on Friday – Washington Examiner
Click to see story on Washington ExaminerFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on MY NorthwestBiden Visit to Bridge Collapse Announced as Channel Opens to Baltimore Port
Click to see story on 読売新聞オンラインTrapped vessels navigate Port of Baltimore after bridge collapse
Click to see story on Fox BusinessA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on The BladeA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on KMPHA Channel Has Opened for Vessels Clearing Wreckage at the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Site
Click to see story on The Epoch TimesBiden To Visit Baltimore Bridge Collapse Friday
Click to see story on OANBaltimore Bridge Collapse Highlights The Sorry State Of American Infrastructure
Click to see story on The Daily WireUntracked Bias
GRAPHIC: Why did Baltimore bridge collapse?
Click to see story on IOLBiden will go to Baltimore to observe work to recover a collapsed bridge
Click to see story on Jovem Pan NewsFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Chronicle OnlineFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Chek newsPassage cleared at Baltimore bridge collapse for small vessels
Click to see story on CHCHTrapped vessels start moving out of Baltimore after bridge collapse
Click to see story on bluewaterhealthyliving.comA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on cdispatch.comThe Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, which killed six people in Baltimore, could see insured losses between $2 billion to $4 billion. The figures could make it “the most expensive marine insured loss in history.” However, who will pay and how much depends on who is asked.
President Joe Biden, who is scheduled to visit Baltimore on Friday, April 5, has vowed the federal government will pay, but Republicans in Congress stand in his way.
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Meanwhile, the owner and manager of the ship that crashed into the bridge are trying to escape some of the costs. They filed jointly using a pre-Civil War provision in maritime law, which limits their liability to the “value of the vessel’s remains.” In total, it would cap their reported expenses at $43.6 million.
However, at least one legal expert said that the provision likely won’t allow the company to escape that much liability. Instead, what the provision does is force all subsequent claims to be filed in one place.
Around 100 insurance companies are reported to be involved in the case. The insurance companies cover everything from cargo on the ship, the ship itself, the bridge, and even the Port of Baltimore. Those insurance companies will likely front the costs eventually, according to a legal analyst.
Once an investigation is complete, and it is determined who is at fault, insurance companies will reportedly sue the responsible party in an attempt to recoup their losses.
The ship’s owner, who is based out of Singapore, argues that they were not previously aware of the vessel’s mechanical issues that led to the crash.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has already approved $60 million to help clear debris and for rebuilding efforts. That’s just a fraction of what’s needed, as costs to repair the bridge alone could be as high as $1.2 billion. The emergency funds that the Biden administration provided are also limited, and Congress would need to approve additional funding for bridge reconstruction.
Many Republicans, including former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, said it should not be the government’s responsibility to pay; rather, the insurance companies should foot the bill.
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As the debate over who should pay continues, efforts to remove the wreckage from the Patapsco River are underway. Sonar images have revealed that there is still debris at the waterway, and divers were swimming in “virtual darkness.” Cranes are also assisting by lifting hundreds of tons of wreckage to clear the channels.
Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., said efforts will need to include more than just rebuilding the bridge. Moore said that he’s also focused on the victims and the long-term economic impact.
“Our work with these families does not end with recovery,” Moore said. “Both federal and state partners are meeting with families of the victims to offer them support.”
Moore went on to say that this is not just about a bridge but “it’s about our nation’s economy.”
[JACK AYLMER]
WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, THE DEADLY COLLAPSE OF THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE IN BALTIMORE COULD SEE INSURED LOSSES BETWEEN TWO AND FOUR BILLION DOLLARS.
ONE CREDIT RATING AGENCY SAYING IT COULD BE “THE MOST EXPENSIVE MARINE INSURED LOSS IN HISTORY.”
BUT WHO WILL PAY AND HOW MUCH, DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK.
PRESIDENT BIDEN, WHO IS SET TO VISIT BALTIMORE FRIDAY, VOWED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PAY, BUT REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS SAY NOT SO FAST.
MEANWHILE, THE OWNER AND MANAGER OF THE SHIP THAT CRASHED INTO THE BRIDGE ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE SOME OF THE COST.
THEIR JOINT-FILING USES A PRE-CIVIL WAR PROVISION IN MARITIME LAW–
TO LIMIT THEIR LIABILITY TO THE “VALUE OF THE VESSEL’S REMAINS.”
THIS WOULD CAP THEIR EXPENSES AT JUST UNDER $44-MILLION.
BUT THE FILING MIGHT NOT END UP LIMITING THE SHIP OWNER’S LIABILITY AFTER ALL– INSTEAD IT SERVES ANOTHER PURPOSE– PUTTING ALL THE CLAIMS FILED IN ONE PLACE.
ABOUT 100 INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE INVOLVED, WHICH INCLUDES INSURANCE FOR THE BOAT, CARGO, BRIDGE ITSELF, AND EVEN THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.
THOSE INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL LIKELY FRONT THE COSTS EVENTUALLY, ACCORDING TO A LEGAL ANALYST.
ONCE AN INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE, AND THEY DETERMINE WHO IS AT FAULT–
INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL REPORTEDLY SUE THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY– IN ATTEMPT TO RECOUP THEIR LOSSES.
THE SHIP’S OWNER WHO IS BASED OUT OF SINGAPORE, ARGUES THEY WEREN’T PREVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE VESSEL’S MECHANICAL ISSUES THAT LED TO THE CRASH.
MEANWHILE, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ALREADY APPROVED $60 MILLION TO HELP CLEAR DEBRIS AND REBUILDING EFFORTS.
HOWEVER, TOTAL RECONSTRUCTION COULD BE AS HIGH AS ONE-POINT-TWO-BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE BRIDGE ALONE.
AND THE EMERGENCY FUNDS THE ADMINISTRATION USED IS LIMITED.
MEANING CONGRESS WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE MORE FUNDING TO REBUILD THE BRIDGE.
MANY REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH, SAY IT SHOULD NOT BE THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY– RATHER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
EFFORTS TO REMOVE WRECKAGE FROM THE RIVER ARE UNDERWAY.
AND SONAR IMAGES REVEAL THERE IS STILL DEBRIS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WATERWAY– DIVERS WERE SWIMMING IN “VIRTUAL DARKNESS” — AND CRANES HAVE LIFTED HUNDREDS OF TONS OF WRECKAGE TO CLEAR THE CHANNEL. BUT STILL WORK REMAINS. ONLY ONE OF THE THREE TEMPORARY CHANNELS FOR SHIPS HAS REOPENED, AND IT IS A FRACTION OF THE DEPTH OF THE FORMER ROUTE.
MARYLAND GOVERNOR WES MOORE SAYS EFFORTS WILL NEED TO INCLUDE MORE THAN JUST REBUILDING. HE’S ALSO FOCUSED ON THE VICTIMS’ FAMILIES AND THE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC IMPACT.
[WES MOORE]
OUR WORK WITH THESE FAMILIES DOES NOT END WITH RECOVERY. BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE PARTNERS ARE MEETING WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS TO OFFER THEM SUPPORTS.
[JACK AYLMER]
MOORE SAID THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT A BRIDGE –
“IT’S ABOUT OUR NATION’S ECONOMY.”
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Baltimore bridge collapse: Biden to visit Friday as cleanup continues
Click to see story on The IndependentSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on abc NewsBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to survey Key Bridge damage
Click to see story on CNNBiden says he’ll visit Baltimore this week as response to bridge collapse continues
Click to see story on CBS NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Star TribuneHeadline Unavailable
Click to see story on PoliticoBiden Will Travel to Baltimore on Friday After Bridge Collapse
Click to see story on U.S. NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site – West Hawaii Today
Click to see story on West Hawaii TodayFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on The Philadelphia TribuneHeadline Unavailable
Click to see story on ReutersA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore site
Click to see story on NZ HeraldFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on KRDOBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to survey Key Bridge damage
Click to see story on KIFIBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to visit bridge collapse
Click to see story on The HillSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on The Billings GazetteTrapped vessels start moving out of Baltimore after bridge collapse
Click to see story on DevdiscourseChannel opened for vessels clearing wreckage at Baltimore bridge site
Click to see story on Penn LiveChannel opens, 3-D images released as Key Bridge salvage operations begin
Click to see story on WBAL-TVA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on MissoulianA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Montana StandardA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on njBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to survey Key Bridge damage
Click to see story on KWWLSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on KCRGBiden to visit the site of the Baltimore bridge collapse on Friday
Click to see story on El Tiempo LatinoSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily TimesA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site – Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Click to see story on Hawaii Tribune-HeraldBaltimore bridge collapse causing issues for Erie imports
Click to see story on YOURERIEBiden heads to Baltimore this week to assess bridge collapse damage
Click to see story on Scripps NewsA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on WavyBiden to travel to Baltimore on Friday to survey Key Bridge damage
Click to see story on abc12/WJRTSecond channel opened allowing some vessels to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Daily Local NewsBaltimore bridge collapse will cost millions
Click to see story on DC News Now | Washington, DCWhite House Says President Biden to Visit Baltimore on Friday
Click to see story on C- SpanHeadline Unavailable
Click to see story on Washington TimesBiden to visit site of Baltimore bridge collapse on Friday – Washington Examiner
Click to see story on Washington ExaminerFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on MY NorthwestBiden Visit to Bridge Collapse Announced as Channel Opens to Baltimore Port
Click to see story on 読売新聞オンラインTrapped vessels navigate Port of Baltimore after bridge collapse
Click to see story on Fox BusinessA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on The BladeA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on KMPHA Channel Has Opened for Vessels Clearing Wreckage at the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Site
Click to see story on The Epoch TimesBiden To Visit Baltimore Bridge Collapse Friday
Click to see story on OANBaltimore Bridge Collapse Highlights The Sorry State Of American Infrastructure
Click to see story on The Daily WireUntracked Bias
GRAPHIC: Why did Baltimore bridge collapse?
Click to see story on IOLBiden will go to Baltimore to observe work to recover a collapsed bridge
Click to see story on Jovem Pan NewsFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Chronicle OnlineFirst vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on Chek newsPassage cleared at Baltimore bridge collapse for small vessels
Click to see story on CHCHTrapped vessels start moving out of Baltimore after bridge collapse
Click to see story on bluewaterhealthyliving.comA channel has opened for vessels clearing wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
Click to see story on cdispatch.comVOTE WITH THE UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACTS.™
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