Photo: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images News / Getty Images
As the investigation into what caused the cargo ship to crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore enters its seventh week, the 21 crewmembers of the Dali remained stranded on the boat.
They are unable to leave and had their cell phones confiscated by the FBI last month. While the crew were given replacement phones, officials noted the phones don't have any of their photos or the banking apps they need to manage their finances and send money to their families.
"However long the investigation takes, the crew's rights and welfare should not be infringed upon during its course," said David Heindel, president of the Seafarers International Union. "We call on the authorities to be mindful that seafarers utilize mobile devices to conduct personal business for bill payments and, more importantly, transfer money to their home country to sustain families."
The Seafarers Union also wants to ensure the men can be given shore leave when the cargo ship is refloated and returns to the Port of Baltimore. The visas of the crewmembers, who are from India and Sri Lanka, have expired in the weeks since the crash.
"They need some time off for their mental health and to refresh their minds," said Barbara Shipley with the International Transport Workers' Federation.