As most of you know, tragedy struck on what would have otherwise been an ordinary night earlier this week in the heart of Baltimore. The Francis Scott Key Bridge, an iconic structure that spanned the Patapsco River, became the focal point of a devastating disaster that has shaken Baltimore and the region to its core. As I think about the events of that night, there’s a lot to unpack, from preparedness and the “why” behind a crisis to quick thinking and the human capacity for heroism in the face of adversity.

When we think about a crisis or disaster, we can be lulled into thinking that there’s a simple cause and effect. We can be lulled into thinking that the Titanic sank because it hit an iceberg, for example. But there’s almost always a lot more at play, including with the Titanic.

The “unsinkable” Titanic’s massive compartment doors were presumed to be watertight, but the doors were not capped at the top. The ship’s captain didn’t slow the speed of the Titanic as it crossed the Atlantic, despite warnings of icebergs. The crew ignored ice warnings from other nearby ships, and the ship’s lookouts were missing the binoculars needed to properly spot icebergs. Once the Titanic hit the iceberg, a tragedy was almost guaranteed, as the 20 lifeboats were not enough to hold the number of passengers on the ship. Many lifeboats were launched with fewer people than they could hold, because the Titanic crew had canceled its scheduled lifeboat drill earlier in the day.

While it’s still too early to understand all the reasons for the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster, like virtually all disasters it too is likely the result of many factors, just one of which was the Singapore-flagged vessel Dali losing propulsion and crashing into the one of the bridge’s supports. The most recent federal inspection report for the Key Bridge, filed in May 2022, gave the bridge span a score of 6 out of 9, which is considered "fair,” but the latest inspection report did note concerns over one of its reinforced concrete columns. Further, a crash like the Dali’s with the Key Bridge is unusual – shipping experts say crashes caused by engine failure, steering failure or generator blackout are very uncommon. But this is not the first incident involving the Dali, which, while attempting to leave a Belgian port in 2016 scraped its stern along the quay, damaging the hull. Additionally, the Key Bridge, built in the 1970s, didn’t have structures called fenders and dolphins of newer bridges which absorb impact, like the bumper on a car, to keep them safe. Also, the two 5,000-horsepower tugboats, which only minutes earlier had helped guide the Dali out of its berth at the Port of Baltimore and peeled off, turned back, and raced toward the Dali to help but were too late.

And what we often focus on is the sudden, end result that becomes a crisis or disaster. The Dali’s impact with the Key Bridge was swift and devastating, causing a section of the bridge to crumble – and 8 construction workers with it – into the river below.

Amidst the chaos and confusion, and unlike the Titanic disaster, the actions of the ship's pilot and others emerge as a beacon of hope. With the Dali’s total loss of power and the ship moving swiftly toward a crash with the Key Bridge, the Dali’s pilot recognized the imminent danger and quickly issued a mayday, giving the authorities controlling the bridge just enough time to stop vehicles from crossing the span – about 90 seconds. The pilot also dropped the ship’s anchor to try to slow the ship down. He prevented an even greater catastrophe, as did the police patrolling the bridge – just 90 seconds were needed for officers to stop traffic over the Baltimore bridge in both directions. The mayday calls also accelerated the Coast Guard’s rescue response, which was fast enough to pull two of the eight people from the water. The swift decision-making and calm under pressure by the pilot, the police and the Coast Guard undoubtedly saved lives and minimized the extent of the disaster.

As I think about what lessons we can learn from disasters, whether it be the Titanic or the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, there are several takeaways from crises we might apply to our own lives…

• Preparation is paramount. Just as a bridge's or ships’ structural weaknesses can be contribute to disaster, neglecting to address potential vulnerabilities in our own lives can have dire consequences. Whether it's maintaining your physical infrastructure or prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being, being proactive can mitigate your risks and prevent or ease a crisis. And with coaching and training, when a crisis does emerge, you’ve drilled on how to respond.
• Clear communication and collaboration are essential. In the seconds after the Dali’s loss of power and the bridge crash, the ship’s pilot and Baltimore emergency responders worked quickly and skillfully to coordinate rescue efforts. By keeping open lines of communication and working with your supporter, you can mobilize your resources effectively and minimize the impact of unforeseen, difficult events in your life
• Resilience and adaptability are key to facing adversity. While the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge dealt a devastating blow to the region, Marylander’s are rallying together with strength and determination to rebuild and recover. In times of crisis, it's essential to be flexible and resilient, embracing the inevitability of change and finding innovative solutions to overcome challenges.

We’re going to hear a lot more in the weeks and months ahead about the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. While what happened unfolds, let’s honor the victims and heroes by learning from the mistakes and striving to create a safer, more resilient future. By applying the lessons from this tragedy to our own lives, we’re better equipped to navigate our own crises with courage, with compassion, and with resolve.