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Origin Travel Nurses — The Gold Standard

Origin Travel Nurses has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Healthcare Staffing Services Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a quality symbol reflecting a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

Healthcare staffing firms like Origin Travel Nurses place temporary staff in organizations that direct or provide patient care.

Health Care Staffing Services Certification demonstrates Origin Travel Nurse’s efforts to address how staff qualifications and competencies are determined, the placement of staff, and how their performance is monitored.

Travel Nursing — A Step Above the Rest

Travel nurses work in a variety of settings to care for patients who are sick or injured. They may work in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, or other healthcare facilities.

Travel nurses typically have more experience than staff nurses. They often specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as intensive care or emergency room nursing.

Travel nurses may work for a staffing agency or be self-employed. They typically work 13-week assignments, although some may work shorter or longer terms.

What Are the Benefits of Travel Nursing?

Travel nursing offers many benefits to nurses, including the opportunity to:

• Work in a variety of healthcare settings
• Gain experience in multiple nursing specialties
• Work in different parts of the country or world
• Earn a higher salary than staff nurses
• Enjoy greater flexibility in their work schedule

What Are the Requirements for Travel Nursing?

To be a travel nurse, you must have a valid nursing license and at least two years of nursing experience. Some travel nursing agencies may require you to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, although this is not always necessary.

You will also need to be able to pass a background check and have up-to-date vaccinations. Some travel nursing agencies may require you to have specialty certifications, such as CPR or BSN.

The Struggles of Being a Travel Nurse

Although travel nursing offers many benefits, there are some challenges that you may face. These challenges can include:

• Homesickness: If you’re used to being close to your family and friends, you may find it difficult to be away from them for long periods of time.
• Loneliness: You may also feel lonely at times, especially if you’re traveling to a new place where you don’t know anyone.
• Stress: Travel nursing can be stressful, as you may have to deal with last-minute changes in your schedule or unexpected problems with patients.
• Fatigue: Working long hours and dealing with the stress of travel nursing can lead to fatigue.

If you’re considering becoming a travel nurse, it’s important to weigh both the benefits and the challenges before making your decision.

Choosing the Right Travel Nursing Agency

Not all travel nursing agencies are created equal. When you’re looking for an agency to work with, it’s important to consider factors such as the agency’s reputation, pay and benefits, and the types of assignments they offer.

It’s also a good idea to read reviews of travel nursing agencies before you make your decision. You can find reviews of various agencies online. The travel nursing agency you work with will be the one that represents you, so it’s important to go with one that speaks to your way of life, and you can see yourself growing. It takes years upon years for travel nursing agencies to gain the expertise that they need to get to the “Gold Standard.” Many agencies never actually get there, so make sure you do your research before joining one.

Now, Let’s Talk About How Origin Travel Nurses Earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®

Origin Travel Nurses underwent a rigorous , unannounced review on August 3rd, 2022.

During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards, including Leadership (HSLD), Human Resources Management (HSHR), and Information Management (HSIM). 

Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. The reviewers also conducted observations and interviews.

“Healthcare Staffing Services Certification recognizes healthcare staffing firms committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” – Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive at The Joint Commission.

“We commend Origin Travel Nurses for using certification to strengthen its program structure and management framework and enhance its staff recruitment and development processes.”

“Origin Travel Nurses is committed to providing the best service experience for our traveling clinicians and client partners. We feel this Certification showcases our efforts!” — Brent Olsavsky, CEO of Origin Travel Nurses.

Origin Travel Nurse’s Team has worked diligently to refine the internal processes and procedures to ensure they meet the highest standards available in the Travel Nursing industry. Their entire team’s foundational work and attention to detail led the company to this point!

Even though the Gold Seal of Approval is hard to get, those that strive for it, and put in the work, can actually get there! Get in touch with Origin Travel Nurses to get your journey started too!

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Origin Travel Nurses has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval

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Vietnam tours

“Mu Cang Chai – The Unforgettable Land”

The Best Vietnam Tours & Travel Packages

At Origin Vietnam: The True Value of Travel with real experiences!

Vietnam tours & travel packages meet the Origin Travel Team, your local connection in Vietnam. We’re proud to welcome you to our country. Vietnam is a land of breathtaking scenery, diverse landscapes and fascinating people. Our tours are designed to provide you with an authentic view of our unique country and to give you the opportunity to witness the lives of the Vietnamese people, both the joys and the hardships.

If you are looking for help and advice on your Vietnam tour , you have come to the right place. Origin Vietnam has a fresh, original and innovative style that caters to all categories of Vietnam vacation.

Whether you are traveling on your honeymoon, for relaxation or for adventure, we can personalize our Vietnam tours to suit your taste. We are Vietnamese who have travelled extensively within their own country and can offer travellers a unique view of Vietnam. Our team will help you create your own personal itinerary from our wide range of Vietnam tours and vacations.

We hope that you enjoy our website and look forward to assisting you in creating your great trip to Vietnam.

Top-Rated Tours

When you travel with us, you can rest easy knowing that all the details are handled by a team of experts who care.

Ha Giang Tour Package with Homestay

Embark on an exciting 5-day journey through the captivating landscapes of Ha Giang. The homeland is one of the most pristine and culturally rich lands

Truly Fansipan Trek

Great Experiences 3 days Truly Fansipan Trek Satisfaction Guarantee High Quality Unique Route Best Price 24/7 Support Fansipan Mountain is the attraction of Sapa where

Hunting Terraced Rice Fields & Hill Tribes

Are you photographer hunter? So Mu Cang Chai and Ha Giang will give you the wonderful journey to romantic and amazing scenery to take the

How to book a customized private tour?

With 5 steps for easy to book tour

#1: Decide a tour

After researching from hundreds of our private tours, you decide a tour you are interested in on our website

#2: Contact us

After having the tour interest, tell us the tour you love best with your personal details and requests

#3: Get the Quote

After receiving your request, we will send you the detailed itinerary as your wish & quote

#4: Confirm booking

When having the final agreement for detailed itinerary & services, you will make the deposit to secure your booking

#5: Ready for travelling

We all make arrangements for your trip, just wait the time to enjoy holiday

Origin Vietnam Signature's

Here are just a few trip ideas to get you started!

Luxury Honeymoon Tours

Classic tours, photography tours, the special offer tours in vietnam 2024.

There’s a reason we are the top-rated travel company for trips to Vietnam! We utilize our passion, years of experience, and familiarity with the local community to create the most well-planned & unique itineraries you could imagine!

Ta Xua Trekking Adventure

Ta Xua 2 days 1 night will bring you to discover one of the beautiful mountains in Vietnam. Travel here you will immerse yourself on the spectacular scenery of mountain scapes especially the cloud cover around the summit with the amazing scenes.

Travel Routes

Start from Hanoi → Yen Bai → Ta Xua  → trip in Hanoi

Amazing Mu Cang Chai

Travel to Mu Cang Chai will be an amazing journey for you to discover the beauties of rice terrace fields with different picture which both nature and local people built as a spectacular scenery for this land.

Off the beaten path

Truly Ha Giang

Private guided tour discover north vietnam.

How amazing it is for short trip in North Vietnam within 7 days! Hanoi to Ninh Binh and Halong Bay will offer you famous destinations for discover natural beauties at Trang An and Halong Natural World Heritage Sites and ancient Hanoi city.

Trip start fro Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Halong Bay → End in Hanoi

Vietnam In Focus

Best Vietnam in focus Photography trip lengthen you from South to North Vietnam within 16 days. This is the opportunity to discover the colorful the country of salt fields in Long Dien , waterways in Mekong Delta plus fruit gardens.

Destinations Focus

Amazing Vietnam

One-of-a-kind Vietnam Itinerary that will let you explore Vietnam’s diverse landscape. You are going to fall in love with the experience of Halong Bay complex and the Mekong Delta plus other attractions throughout the country.

Amazing Destinations

Ms. Angela & Ms. Lucy is our experts for this itinerary and as seasoned travellers she has the inside track on the most memorable adventures.

All are tailor-made tour from Origin Travel Team

This itinerary is to give you the flavor experience we can do in Vietnam!

Our difference

Origin Vietnam Responsible travel for Sharing Benefit with Local Community.

A small thing we do on our tours can make a big difference, so everyone at Origin Vietnam Travel, we strive our best to minimize the impacts while giving maximum enjoyment from your traveling experience. Continue reading …

"What our travellers say"

Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam

Everything you need to know before arriving in spectacular Vietnam!

You must have a passport (or other valid documents instead ) and are required to have an entry visa issued by a competent Vietnamese authority, except in cases of visa exemption.

Your passport must be valid for at least 06 months, not torn or blurred and still have at least two blank pages for visa stamping. Temporary passports are not accepted.

You will not waste money and time on unnecessary things. The travel agency will design a private itinerary of discovery, not as general as the suggestions you find on the Internet.

If your plane is delayed, you are in danger or have an accident… it’s all a small matter if you ask for the help of the travel agency.

There are 5 helpful tips that can help you find a reputable travel agent.

• Seeking suggestions from acquaintances is the simplest and most effective way.
• Select travel review websites as well as travel forums, which will help you look up information that even travel companies do not include on their websites.
• Find professional places
• Talking directly with agents is the best way to find out their qualifications. Ask them questions, including things you’re not sure about in the planning process.
• If there is no other way, one of the safest options is to find a few reputable travel agencies.

Vietnam has been ranked as one of the safest countries in the world for travellers. The police are rigid on social order problems. There are rare reports of muggings, robberies or sexual assaults.

However, you should be careful to protect yourself and your belongings in big cities and tourist areas.

• You must popular passport need to get a valid visa for Vietnam entry
• Buying a SIM card in Vietnam
• Money and Currency in Vietnam
• Use Maps Because You Will Get Lost At Least Once
• Weather in Vietnam is in a tropical climate
• Don’t take the first taxi that you see outside the airport because you will most likely get ripped off
• The easiest way to be safe while crossing the road is by walking next to a local who is crossing
• Be Careful and Don’t Eat Dog or Cat Meat Unknowingly
• Book for the first few nights in advance after carefully checking the reviews on TripAdvisor.
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B

YES. All US citizens MUST have a valid Vietnamese visa to enter Vietnam, whether the citizen enters Vietnam for tourism or commercial purposes.

The number of tourists coming to Vietnam is increasing day by day. Most tourists go to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, although a large number of travellers still choose the cheaper option of an indirect flight via Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong.

Travel to Vietnam and you will discover no shortage of beautiful and attractive places to explore. Experience the bustle of vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, or charming Hanoi with its vibrant Old Quarter and intriguing street food

While the charming riverside town of historic Hoi An in Central Vietnam Nam offers a softer experience.

If you plan to travel to Vietnam. Inbound travel insurance is an option you should consider using. It is a service to help you feel more secure in the travel process. It will support and be responsible in a few cases when the problem occurs unintended.

Such circumstances may include cancellation of a booked trip due to illness, loss of baggage at the airport or cancellation of the flight.

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Origin Tours and Travels is a leading Air Ticketing , Tourism, Umrah Packages ,  Holiday Packages , Hajj packages, and hotel reservations Travel Agency in Hyderabad and India. Primarily concerned with providing quality services to customers. lead by a team of professionals with more than 10 years of experience in successful arrangements of groups, families, individuals, and savvy travelers. We have been organizing holiday packages and Umrah Groups for the past 10 years and we have established ourselves as a market leader in this relatively short time. Our main focus has always been to remain fair and honest in all our dealings, delivering what we promise and combining professionalism with firm adherence to quality services. All services are with luxury, Economy, and corporate packages.

We found that the majority of people who travel with us do so based on recommendations from previous customers. Whether you want to make best package, we can make the necessary arrangements. Our committed team along with our highly experienced global partners looks forward to serving you on your journey of a lifetime… Trip of Life.

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When choosing a Origin Tours And Travels you can be assured that you are getting great value for money. Our long standing relationships with operators and our volume of travellers enables us to get the best deals on the must do attractions. We pass these savings onto you so you can do more and see more whilst on one of our tours.

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Our independent coach tours are unique to Unique Holiday Tours. They have been thoroughly researched by us to ensure your tour runs smoothly and they are updated regularly to include new accommodation, attractions and travel ideas and to reflect our customer feedback.

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Destination management company in Russia

Destination management in Russia is one of the main focus areas of our agency.

For the years we are successfully carrying of corporate groups in Russia as professional incoming agency in Moscow. The Proekta’s staff is experienced specialists with excellent knowledge of all local features of Russia. The most popular destinations that corporate groups visit are Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kamchatka, and Sochi. We develop unique programs and concepts for each corporate tour to create a memorable experience.

Destination management company in Moscow is needed to ensure running event and logistics at the highest professional level. The knowledge of city’s dynamics, original places and non-tourist sights is the main difference of a professional incoming agency from a mass tour operator.

Destination management in Moscow is quite a young industry, but it has great potential. Here in Russia you can always find what to research and make discoveries every day. Russia is a vast country, not like all the others. Here you can experience different climatic conditions for a few hours, get familiar with different cultures and history of our civilization. There’re infinitely many nuances in such a large country as Russia, and dmc in Moscow and Saint Petersburg should take them into account. That’s why we develop each service for our clients on an individual basis.

Direct and long-term contracts with hotels, transport companies and many other service providers allow us to follow flexible pricing policy. For dmc Moscow is city with endless cultural and historical potential, you can discover it hundred times and find every time something new.

We have taken all the best and most interesting in Russia for our customers. We’re excited to use difficult and out-of-the-box solutions since we know nothing is impossible and want you to remember Russia with love. 

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Conference for Nissan dealers in Barcelona

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• International

Baltimore Key Bridge collapse

Trump's Georgia hearing

Bankman-Fried sentencing

March 26, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapses after ship collision

By Helen Regan , Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Rachel Ramirez , Elise Hammond , Aditi Sangal , Tori B. Powell , Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Kathleen Magramo , CNN

Our live coverage of the Baltimore bridge collapse has moved here .

Crew member on DALI said everyone on board was safe hours after bridge collapse, official says

From CNN’s Amy Simonson

A crew member on the DALI cargo ship sent a message hours after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday saying everybody on board was safe, according to Apostleship of the Sea director Andy Middleton.

Middleton, who spent time with the captain of the DALI Monday, told CNN’s Laura Coates he reached out to a crew member after hearing about the incident Tuesday morning. 

He said there were 22 members aboard the ship from India who were setting sail earlier Tuesday morning and were heading toward Sri Lanka.

“I was able to reach out to a crew member very early this morning around 5:30 (a.m. ET) or 6 (a.m. ET) and get a message to them asking if they were OK,” he said. “That crew member responded within just a few minutes advising that the crew was safe, and everybody that [was] on board was safe.”

Middleton was told by the ship's captain Monday that the vessel was going to take a longer route to avoid risks along the Yemen coast.

“When I was out with the captain yesterday, we were talking while we were driving, and he advised that they were sailing down and around the tip of South Africa in order to avoid the incidents that are going on off the Yemen coast, and it was a safer way to go,” he said.

Middleton said the  Apostleship of the Sea  is a ministry to seafarers with members that spend time in the port and on the vessels as a friendly face to the seafarers that visit the Port of Baltimore, “taking care of their needs to make sure that they're reminded of their God-given human dignity when they're here in Baltimore.”

Search operation ends in "heartbreaking conclusion," Maryland governor says. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

Six people, who were believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning. The collapse came after a 984-foot cargo ship hit the bridge's pillar.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters Tuesday evening it's a "really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day."

Late Tuesday, it was discovered that two of the construction workers who went missing after the bridge collapsed were from Guatemala , the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Tuesday.

Here's what you should know to get up to speed:

• The victims: Eight people were on the bridge  when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and was later  discharged , fire official and the medical center said.
• The incident: Video shows the moment the entire bridge structure falls into the water, as the ship hits one of the bridge's pillars. CNN analysis shows that the  ships lights flickered  and it veered off course before it hit the bridge. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the crew on the ship were able to issue a "mayday" before colliding into the bridge, which allowed the authorities to stop incoming traffic from going onto the bridge.
• Response efforts: Earlier, dive teams from various state and local agencies were brought in to assist in search-and-rescue operations, according to Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr.. The mission started with 50 personnel and continued to grow before the Coast Guard announced Tuesday evening that it was suspending its active search-and-rescue operation and transitioning to a "different phase."
• The investigation: Authorities are still working to establish exactly how the crash occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board will look into  how the bridge was built  and investigate the structure itself. It will "take time to dig through" whether the bridge had ever been  flagged for any safety deficiencies , NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said.
• Rebuilding the bridge: US Sen. Chris Van Hollen said the path to rebuilding the bridge will be "long and expensive." Senior White House adviser Tom Perez told reporters Tuesday “it’s too early” to tell how long it will take to rebuild the bridge. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he wants the federal government to bear the full cost of rebuilding the collapsed bridge, noting that it will not wait for the company who owns the container ship DALI to shoulder the costs. Funding could come from the Federal Highway Administration as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but it may require additional funding from Congress.

2 of the missing construction workers from bridge collapse were from Guatemala, foreign ministry says

From CNN’s Allison Gordon, Flora Charner and Amy Simonson

Two of the construction workers missing from the bridge collapse in Baltimore were from Guatemala, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Tuesday.

Those missing included a 26-year-old originally from San Luis, Petén. The other is a 35-year-old from Camotán, Chiquimula, the statement said.

The ministry said both were part of a work team “repairing the asphalt on the bridge at the time of the accident.”

The statement did not name the two people missing, but it said the country’s consul general in Maryland “went to the area where the families of those affected are located,” where he hopes to be able to meet with the brothers of both missing people.

The consulate   also issued a statement Tuesday saying its consul general in Maryland "remains in contact with local authorities," and also confirmed that two of those missing "were of Guatemalan origin.”

Six people, who were believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning when a cargo ship hit the bridge's pillar.

State and federal officials have not released information about the identities of any of the six missing workers.

Underwater mapping of bridge collapse area to begin Wednesday, Baltimore fire chief says

From CNN's Jennifer Henderson

Search operations near the Key Bridge collapse have shut down for the night due to dangerous conditions, but the process of underwater mapping with many local, state and federal dive teams will begin Wednesday, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Tuesday night.

Wallace said the portion of the Patapsco River is “tidal influenced, so it goes through tide cycles just like the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay does.”

The water depths in the area under the bridge vary from 40 feet to more than 60 feet, Wallace said. The deeper the divers go, the colder the temperatures they encounter, and the visibility is zero, he added.

 Wallace said when crews arrived Tuesday morning, the surface water temperatures of the Patapsco River were about 47 degrees with an air temperature of 44-45 degrees.

Here's what you should know about the historic Francis Scott Key Bridge

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after a massive container ship lost power and crashed into the iconic Baltimore bridge, sending people and vehicles into the frigid Patapsco River.

Six people, believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead and the Coast Guard has ended its active search and rescue mission.

Here's what you should know about the historic bridge:

• How old?: The Francis Scott Key Bridge, also referred to as just the Key Bridge, opened to traffic in March 1977 and is the final link in the Baltimore Beltway, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA.) It crosses over the 50-foot-deep Patapsco River, where former US attorney Francis Scott Key found inspiration to write the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, the MDTA says.
• How long?: The bridge was 1.6 miles long when standing, MDTA reports.
• Traffic volume: More than 30,000 people commuted daily on the bridge, according to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
• How much did it cost?: The bridge cost $60.3 million to build, MDTA says. Since its collapse, President Joe Biden said he’s committed to helping rebuild the bridge as soon as possible.
• About the port: Baltimore ranks as the ninth biggest US port for international cargo. It handled a record 52.3 million tons, valued at $80.8 billion, in 2023. According to the Maryland state government, the port supports 15,330 direct jobs and 139,180 jobs in related services.
• About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. Dali is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk . The ship is about 984 feet long , according to MarineTraffic data. That’s the length of almost three football fields.

Baltimore woman says bridge collapse was "like a piece of family dissolved"

From CNN's Kit Maher

For longtime Baltimore resident, Ceely, who opted not to share her last name, seeing footage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse  Tuesday was deeply personal.

“I was very heavy-hearted,” Ceely told CNN. “Very tearful, thinking about the families whose loved ones may be in the water and just remembering when the bridge was constructed, and it was just like a piece of family dissolved.”

Ceely was at a prayer group Tuesday morning when she saw the news. She recalled being afraid when she first crossed the bridge while in Ford Maverick in 1975, but grew to like it because it saved time on the road.

“It was a main artery just like a blood line. It was a main artery to the other side of town. It was awesome. It beat going through the city all the time,” she said.

Elder Rashad A. Singletary , a senior pastor who led Tuesday night’s vigil at Mt. Olive Baptist Church told CNN that many church members watched the bridge's construction.

"It’s a part of the community. A lot of our individuals in our congregation drive that bridge to go to work, and so now it’s really a life changing moment,” he said.

"Heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day," Maryland governor says as Coast Guard ended search operation

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

More than 18 hours after the collapse of the Baltimore bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said it was a heartbreaking conclusion after the Coast Guard ended the search-and-rescue operation for the six people who were on the bridge when it collapsed.

It's a "really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day," he said.

"We put every single asset possible — air, land and sea" to find the missing people, he told reporters on Tuesday evening. "While even though we're moving on now to a recovery mission, we're still fully committed to making sure that we're going to use every single asset to now bring a sense of closure to the families," the governor added.

6 people presumed dead after Baltimore bridge collapse, Coast Guard says. Here's what we know

As the sun sets in Baltimore, six people are presumed dead after a major bridge collapsed overnight Tuesday, according to the Coast Guard. The Francis Scott Key Bridge came down around 1:30 a.m. ET after a cargo ship collided with it.

The Coast Guard said it has ended its active search-and-rescue operation for the missing construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed.

• What we know: Eight people were on the bridge when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and has been discharged . The Coast Guard has been searching for six other people. But, around 7:30 p.m. ET, the Coast Guard said it has transitioned to a “different phase” of operation, now it did “not believe we are going to find any of these individuals alive,” Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said.
• About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. The vessel is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk . The US Embassy in Singapore has been in contact with the country’s Maritime and Port Authority, a State Department spokesperson said.
• The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the collapse. A team of 24 experts will dig into nautical operations, vessel operations, safety history records, owners, operators, company policy and any safety management systems or programs, said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. A voyage data recorder will be critical to the investigation, she added. 
• Vehicles on the bridge: Officials are also working to verify the numbers of how many cars and people were on the bridge, Homendy said. Gov. Wes Moore said the quick work of authorities in closing the bridge had saved lives . Radio traffic captured how authorities stopped traffic and worked to clear the bridge seconds before the impact . Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. said there is a “ distinct possibility ” more vehicles were on the bridge, but authorities have not found any evidence to support that.
• Looking ahead: NTSB will look into how the bridge was built and investigate the structure itself, including if it was flagged for any safety deficiencies , Homendy said. The federal government has also directed its resources to help with search and rescue, to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge, Vice President Kamala Harris said . Earlier, President Joe Biden said t he federal government will pay to fix the bridge.
• The economy: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned the collapse will have a serious impact on supply chains . Until the channel is reopened, ships will likely already be changing course for other East Coast ports. Ocean carriers are already being diverted from the Port of Baltimore, where the bridge collapsed, to the Port of Virginia to “keep trade moving."

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What we know about the container ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge

• The ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday was the Singapore-flagged Dali.
• The container ship had been chartered by Maersk, the Danish shipping company. 
• Two people were recovered from the water but six remain missing, authorities said.

A container ship crashed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing its collapse into the Patapsco River.

A livestream showed vehicles traveling on the Francis Scott Key Bridge just moments before the impact at 1:28 a.m. ET.

Baltimore first responders called the situation a "developing mass casualty event" and a "dire emergency," per The Associated Press.

James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore Fire Department, said in a press conference that two people had been recovered from the water.

One was uninjured, but the other was transported to a local trauma center in a "very serious condition."

Wallace said up to 20 people were thought to have fallen into the river and some six people were still missing.

Richard Worley, Baltimore's police chief, said there was "no indication" the collision was purposeful or an act of terrorism.

Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, declared a state of emergency around 6 a.m. ET. He said his office was in close communication with Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary.

"We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration," Moore added.

Understanding why the bridge collapsed could have implications for safety, in both the shipping and civil engineering sectors.

The container ship is the Singapore-flagged Dali, which is about 984 feet long, and 157 feet wide, per a listing on VesselFinder.

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said that the ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port, ABC News reported.

The crew notified officials that they had lost control and warned of a possible collision, the report said, per the outlet.

The Dali's owner is listed as Grace Ocean, a Singapore-based firm, and its manager is listed as Synergy Marine, which is also headquartered in Singapore.

Shipping news outlet TradeWinds reported that Grace Ocean confirmed the Dali was involved in the collapse, but is still determining what caused the crash.

Related stories

Staff for Grace Ocean declined to comment on the collision when contacted by Business Insider.

"All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution," Synergy Marine said in a statement.

The company did not respond to a request for further comment from BI.

'Horrified'

Maersk chartered the Dali, with a schedule for the ship on its website.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," the Danish shipping company said in a statement.

Maersk added: "We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed."

Per ship tracking data, the Dali left Baltimore on its way to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, at around 1 a.m., about half an hour before the crash.

The Port of Baltimore is thought to be the largest in the US for roll-on/roll-off ships carrying trucks and trailers.

Barbara Rossi, associate professor of engineering science at the University of Oxford, told BI the force of the impact on one of the bridge's supporting structures "must have been immense" to lead to the collapse.

Dr Salvatore Mercogliano, a shipping analyst and maritime historian at Campbell University, told BI: "It appears Dali left the channel while outbound. She would have been under the control of the ship's master with a Chesapeake Bay pilot onboard to advise the master.

"The deviation out of the channel is probably due to a mechanical issue as the ship had just departed the port, but you cannot rule out human error as that was the cause of the Ever Forward in 2022 just outside of Baltimore."

He was referring to the incident two years ago when the container ship became grounded for a month in Chesapeake Bay after loading up cargo at the Port of Baltimore.

The US Coast Guard found the incident was caused by pilot error, cellphone use, and "inadequate bridge resource management."

Claudia Norrgren, from the maritime research firm Veson Nautical, told BI: "The industry bodies who are here to protect against incidents like this, such as the vessel's flag state, classification society, and regulatory bodies, will step in and conduct a formal investigation into the incident. Until then, it'll be very hard for anyone to truly know what happened on board."

This may not have been the first time the Dali hit a structure.

In 2016, maritime blogs such as Shipwreck Log and ship-tracking site VesselFinder posted videos of what appears to be the stern of the same, blue-hulled container vessel scraping against a quay in Antwerp.

A representative for the Port of Antwerp told BI the Dali did collide with a quay there eight years ago but couldn't "give any information about the cause of the accident."

The Dali is listed as being built in 2015 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.

Watch: The shipwreck at the center of a battle between China and the Philippines

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces sweeping sex-trafficking inquiry: What the feds have, need to prove

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Over the last few months, a legendary name in the music world has faced a series of shocking allegations of sexual abuse.

In civil lawsuits, four women have accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of rape, assault and other abuses, dating back three decades. One of the allegations involved a minor. The claims sent shock waves through the music industry and put Combs’ entertainment empire in jeopardy.

Now, the hip-hop mogul’s legal troubles have worsened considerably.

Law enforcement sources told The Times that Combs is the subject of a sweeping inquiry into sex-trafficking allegations that resulted in a federal raid Monday at his estates in Los Angeles and Miami.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ L.A., Miami homes raided in sex-trafficking inquiry, sources say

Agents search Sean Combs’ Holmby Hills and Miami mansions as part of a federal inquiry into sex trafficking allegations, law enforcement sources said.

March 26, 2024

Authorities have declined to comment on the case, and Combs has not been charged with any crime. But the scene of dozens of Department of Homeland Security agents — guns drawn — searching Combs’ properties underscored the seriousness of the investigation.

At the same time as the raids, police in Miami arrested Brendan Paul, a man described in a recent lawsuit against Combs as a confidant and drug “mule.” Miami-Dade police took Paul, 25, into custody on suspicion of possession of cocaine and a controlled substance-laced candy, records show.

Paul was arrested at Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport, where TMZ posted video showing Combs walking around Monday afternoon. An affidavit reviewed by the Miami Herald alleged that police working with Homeland Security found drugs in Paul’s bag. There is nothing in Miami court records connecting Combs to Paul, who was later released on $2,500 bail.

The arrest, however, is the latest in a string of legal woes tied to Combs.

Sources with knowledge of the sex-trafficking investigation into Combs, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said federal authorities have interviewed at least three women, but it’s unclear whether any are among those who have filed suit.

Behind the calamitous fall of hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

In the wake of multiple lawsuits filed against him, former members of Combs’ inner circle told The Times that his alleged misconduct against women goes back decades.

Dec. 13, 2023

Legal experts say it could take time to build a criminal case against Combs but note that the civil suits could offer investigators a road map.

Dmitry Gorin, a former L.A. County sex-crimes prosecutor who is now in private practice, said the allegations in the lawsuits would likely have been enough for a judge to grant search warrants for Combs’ homes.

Investigators probably would seek authorization to “search for videos or photographs on any devices connected to the target ... anywhere where digital images can be found in connection to sexual conduct that would have been recorded,” Gorin said.

Shawn Holley, an attorney for Combs, did not respond to requests for comment, but Aaron Dyer, another of his lawyers, on Tuesday called the raids a “witch hunt” and “a gross overuse of military-level force.”

“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” Dyer said in a statement. “This unprecedented ambush — paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence — leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations.”

Combs has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Gorin and other legal experts said investigators could be focused, in part, on the sexual assault allegations involving a minor. If a minor is moved across state lines for the purpose of sex, “that is enough for at least an argument ... of sex trafficking because somebody underage cannot consent,” Gorin said.

“Sex trafficking for adults usually involves some sort of coercion or other restraints,” he said, and can be tougher to prove. Prosecutors would need to show you “encouraged somebody to engage in sexual activity for money or some other inducement.”

Coercion, he added, is not limited to threats of violence. It could involve being held against one’s will or someone simply saying, “I don’t want to participate in group sex, and now I’m being forced to.”

Homeland Security investigates most sex-trafficking operations for the federal government. Legal experts say one possibility why the agency could be involved in this case is because the women involved in the allegations against Combs could be from other countries.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sexual harassment suit includes notable music industry names

A new suit from music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones makes new, explosive claims about Combs’ alleged assaults and misconduct in granular detail, naming several prominent artists and music executives as well.

Feb. 28, 2024

Meghan Blanco, a defense attorney who has handled sexual trafficking cases, said they can be “incredibly difficult cases to prove.”

“They have [in the Combs case] convinced one or more federal magistrates they had enough probable cause for one or more search warrants,” Blanco said. “Given the scope of the investigation, it seems they are further along than most investigations.”

Combs’ legal troubles have been building for months.

His former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, the singer known as Cassie, accused him of rape and repeated physical assaults and said he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes in front of him. Joi Dickerson-Neal accused Combs in a suit of drugging and raping her in 1991, recording the attack and then distributing the footage without her consent.

Liza Gardner filed a third suit in which she claimed Combs and R&B singer Aaron Hall sexually assaulted her. Hall could not be reached for comment.

Another lawsuit alleges that Combs and former Bad Boy label president Harve Pierre gang-raped and sex-trafficked a 17-year-old girl. Pierre said in a statement that the allegations were “disgusting,” “false” and a “desperate attempt for financial gain.”

After the filing of the fourth suit, Combs wrote on Instagram: “Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

Last month, producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones filed a federal lawsuit against Combs accusing him of sexually harassing and threatening him for more than a year. The suit includes mention of Paul in connection with “the affairs ... involving dealing in controlled substances.”

On Monday, the suit was amended to include Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as a co-defendant in the lawsuit.

Cuba Gooding Jr. added as co-defendant in Lil Rod’s lawsuit against Diddy

Cuba Gooding Jr. is added as a co-defendant in a lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Record producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones accuses the actor of sexual assault.

Blanco said prosecutors “are going to look carefully for corroboration — the numbers of people accusing the person of similar acts.” Beyond that, they will be looking for videos, recordings and cellphone records that place people in the same locations or text messages or other discussions at the time of the alleged acts.

She said prosecutors are trying to build a record of incidents that happened some time ago.

Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura and another, unnamed plaintiff, said in response to reports of the search warrant issued against Combs: “We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.”

Wigdor on Tuesday called his clients “courageous and credible witnesses.”

“To the extent there is a prosecution and they want our clients to testify truthfully,” he said, “I think they will and that will be damning evidence.”

The searches Monday in L.A. and Miami sparked worldwide attention.

Diddy’s ‘Love’ producer Lil Rod accuses him and associates of sexual assault, illicit behavior

Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones has filed a bombshell lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accusing the media mogul of sexually harassing and threatening him.

Feb. 27, 2024

His 17,000-square-foot Holmby Hills mansion, where Combs debuted his last album a year ago, was flooded with Homeland Security agents who gathered evidence on behalf of an investigation being run by the Southern District of New York, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the inquiry.

Two of Combs’ sons were briefly detained at the Holmby Hills property as agents searched the mansion in footage captured by FOX11 Los Angeles.

Both Blanco and Gorin said prosecutors will have to examine the accusers’ motives for coming forward and whether they are motivated by financial gain. They are sure to look for inconsistencies in any allegations, they said.

Any defense, Blanco added, will question why the accusers are only now coming forward and whether they have an incentive beyond justice.

“It comes down to credibility,” she said.

Times staff writers Stacy Perman and Nardine Saad contributed to this report.

More to Read

Inside the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ raids: Emptied safes, dismantled electronics, gun-toting feds

For Black women, the world of hip-hop has always been a minefield of misogyny

March 27, 2024

Where is Diddy? Sean Combs remains in U.S. amid widening sex trafficking probe, sources say

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Richard Winton is an investigative crime writer for the Los Angeles Times and part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2011. Known as @lacrimes on Twitter, during almost 30 years at The Times he also has been part of the breaking news staff that won Pulitzers in 1998, 2004 and 2016.

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