美国众议员John Garamendi（D-CA-08）提出了一项新法案，该法案将加强外国船东对美国水域发生的海上事故的责任和财务责任。

该法案名为《外国船舶事故受害者正义法案》(H.R.9348)，是与美国众议员汉克·约翰逊(D-GA-04)一起提交给众议院的。它旨在防止外国船东逃避重大责任支付。

这一决定直接回应了2024年3月巴尔的摩弗朗西斯·斯科特·基桥(Francis Scott Key Bridge)倒塌的事件，当时悬挂新加坡国旗的集装箱船M/V Dali撞上了这座桥。这场悲剧造成六名桥梁建筑工人死亡，巴尔的摩港口关闭了几个月，影响了地区商业。

Garamendi强烈反对外国船东可以避免对巴尔的摩弗朗西斯·斯科特大桥倒塌造成的损失承担经济责任的概念。他表示，进入美国港口和消费者是一种特权，而不是权利，M/V Dali船东必须承担全部财务责任。

Garamendi进一步补充说，业主需要拿出支票簿，致电保险公司，并向不幸丧生的六名工人的家属支付他们应承担的桥梁更换费用和赔偿金。

拟议的法案将把悬挂外国国旗的船舶的责任限额提高到船舶及其货物价值的十倍。它与美国现行法律，特别是1851年的《责任限制法》(Limitation of Liability Act)存在重大分歧，该法允许船东将其责任限制在船舶及其货物的财务价值范围内。

然而，该法案维持了目前悬挂美国国旗的船舶的责任限额。该法案也将适用于2024年3月25日，即弗朗西斯·斯科特大桥倒塌的前一晚。

该条款明确针对“达利”号在新加坡的公司所有人Grace Ocean Private有限公司和该船的管理人Synergy Marine Group，他们在事件发生后联合向美国马里兰州地方法院提交了一份***书，要求将各自的责任限制在4370万美元。

据估计，更换倒塌桥梁的费用为17亿美元，拜登政府主张联邦援助预先支付全部费用。

这项法律得到了在这起悲惨事件中遇难的六名工人家属的广泛支持。家属的法律代表在一份声明中强调了这项立法的重要性，称它超越了政治忠诚，重点是保护美国人免受外国船只造成的不必要的悲剧。

随着对大桥坍塌事件的调查继续进行，巴尔的摩市指控该船的船东存在重大过失，声称事故发生时“达利号”“显然不适航”。

美国国家运输安全委员会（NTSB）记录了事件发生前的情况，但尚未确定可能的原因。

▲Image Credits: USACE Baltimore/X

英文原文

U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) has introduced a new bill that would enhance the accountability and financial responsibility of foreign vessel owners for maritime accidents in US waters.



The bill, “Justice for Victims of Foreign Vessel Accidents Act” (H.R.9348), was introduced in the House alongside U.S. Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA-04). It aims to prevent foreign shipowners from avoiding major liability payments.



The decision directly responds to the March 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, struck by the Singapore-flagged containership M/V Dali. The tragedy killed six bridge construction workers and closed the Port of Baltimore for several months, affecting regional commerce.



Garamendi strongly objected to the concept that foreign vessel owners could avoid financial responsibility for the damage caused by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. He stated that access to American ports and consumers is a privilege, not a right and that the M/V Dali owners must take full financial responsibility.



Garamendi further added that the owners need to break out their chequebooks, call their insurance company, and pay their fair share of the bridge replacement costs and compensation to the families of the six workers who tragically lost their lives.



The proposed bill would increase the liability limit for foreign-flagged ships to up to ten times the value of the vessel and its cargo. It represents a substantial divergence from current U.S. law, particularly the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, which permits vessel owners to limit their liability to the financial value of the vessel and its cargo.



The bill, however, maintains current liability limits for US-flagged ships. The bill would also apply to March 25, 2024, the night before the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed.



The clause is explicitly aimed at Grace Ocean Private Ltd., Dali’s Singapore-based corporate owner, and Synergy Marine Group, the vessel’s manager, who jointly filed a petition in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland seeking to limit their liability to $43.7 million after the incident.



The estimated cost of replacing the collapsed bridge is $1.7 billion, with the Biden administration advocating for federal assistance to cover the entire cost upfront.



The law has received widespread support from the relatives of the six workers who died in the tragic incident. In a statement, the families’ legal representative highlighted the legislation’s importance, stating that it transcends political allegiance and is focused on protecting Americans from unnecessary tragedies caused by foreign vessels.



As the investigation into the bridge collapse continues, the city of Baltimore has accused the vessel’s owners of gross negligence, claiming that the Dali was “clearly unseaworthy” at the time of the accident.



The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) documented the circumstances preceding the incident but has yet to determine the probable cause.

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