Longshoreman Fatally Crushed as Mobile Crane Boom Comes Away From Its On-Board MAFI Lashing [Baltimore, Maryland – 03 August 2026]

Posted by admin on Aug 3, 2026 in Bulletins

With great regret, Blueoceana Company has been made to understand that David D. Smith, a longshoreman and member of ILA Local Union 333, was fatally injured earlier this morning (03 August 2026) when assisting in the unloading of large crane parts from a MAFI trailer at Baltimore port, Maryland (See exemplar and specific photos below).

While awaiting further confirming information, preliminary reports relate that during delivery of the MAFI’s cargo a synthetic strap securing the disassembled crane’s boom parted, allowing the boom to fall on Mr. Smith, crushing him.

Representatives of the ILA~USMX Joint Safety Committee are presently en-route to Baltimore to investigate this accident and provide findings and recommendations.

Links To Media Accounts:

Above: The MAFI, loaded with the disassembled mobile crane. Note fallen boom at right.

Above: The parted synthetic strap

Above: Orientation of Baltimore Port, Maryland