April 8: Latest updates on operations at Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse site, containers being removed
Slowly but surely, progress continues to be made regarding clearing the traffic channels in the Patapsco River resulting from the recent and fatal collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Yesterday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s office provided an update on the salvage and other operations that are underway at the site, speaking on behalf of the Key Bridge Response Unified Command. The big news from yesterday is that, on Sunday, the Unified Command began to remove containers onboard the Cargo Ship Dali that have been on board the ship since it struck Key Bridge.
Salvors removed containers from the Dali as part of the effort to gain access to the portion of the Key Bridge that lies atop the ship. The transfer of containers from the Dali will continue in the coming days, as weather permits.
In parallel, wreckage and debris removal continued at the site, including portions of Span 19 that were taken to Sparrows Point, Maryland. While marine traffic is still limited, one vessel has transited through in the last 24 hours, totaling 32 since the creation of the temporary alternate channels.
“The Unified Command is concurrently progressing on its main lines of effort to remove enough debris to open the channel to larger commercial traffic, refloat the M/V Dali and continue recovery efforts for missing loved ones,” said Coast Guard Capt. David O’Connell, federal on-scene coordinator, Unified Command. “Every day we are working to achieve these goals safely and efficiently.”
The removal of these containers is a critical step required to safely move the M/V Dali and eventually fully re-open the Fort McHenry Channel. Removing containers allows for safe access to then remove the pieces of the Key Bridge that lie across the ship’s bow, taking weight off the ship and ultimately allowing for the movement of the ship.
With recent incursions by Unmanned Aerial Systems (i.e. drones), the public is reminded that the Unified Command continues to maintain a 2000-yard maritime Safety Zone for recovery efforts and the Temporary Flight Restriction is a no fly-zone with a radius of three nautical miles from the surface, up to and including 1,500 feet above ground level also remains in effect.
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
On Friday, April 5, President Joe Biden visited the site of the downed Key Bridge. During his visit, he took an aerial tour of the wreckage, met with families of the construction workers that lost their lives during the collapse, and received an update on the massive cleanup and rebuilding efforts. The federal government has pledged to cover the costs of reconstruction for this critical span. Biden’s commitment is to ensure that the new bridge is fully restored, emphasizing its importance to the nation’s workers and economy, according to ABC News.
–
The COTP issued a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) via VHF-FM marine channel 16. Mariners are requested to monitor channel 16 for the latest information.
The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command includes the:
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Maryland Department of the Environment
- Maryland Transportation Authority
- Maryland State Police, and,
- Witt O’Brien’s representing Synergy Marine
A website with incident response information can be found at the following URL: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com
A Debris Reporting Hotline has been established. If the public encounters any debris from the incident, please contact +1 (410) 205-6625
For updated information on the status of the maritime transportation system visit the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland – National Capital Region Homeport page: https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/maryland-ncr
Resources are available for businesses and individuals impacted by the Port closure: Benefit Line for Port of Baltimore Workers: +1 (667) 930-5989
Disaster Loan Assistance: https://lending.sba.gov
–
Also see:
- First vessel passes through temporary channel carved out by Key Bridge Response Unified Command
- Officials will enforce ‘no drone zone’ extending for three miles around Key Bridge
- FBI on Key Bridge destruction: ‘No information to suggest ties to terrorism at this time’
- Shocking video: Entire span of Baltimore’s ‘Key Bridge’ collapses into the river below after being struck by cargo ship
–
–
(Source: Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
