Additional Coverage:
On June 10, the Port of Baltimore announced the full reopening of its shipping lanes, which had been obstructed for over two months following an accident where a large cargo vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This incident had greatly impacted one of the nation’s most vital ports.
Salvage operations involved the notable Chesapeake 1000 crane and its powerful hydraulic tool, Gus, which successfully removed a substantial 90-ton segment of the bridge debris from the Fort McHenry Federal Channel, as acknowledged by the U.S. Army in a press photo.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed that the Fort McHenry Federal Channel has been restored to its original condition, ensuring the safe passage of commercial maritime traffic through the port.
Col. Estee Pinchasin, the Baltimore District Commander for the Army Corps of Engineers, emphasized the team’s dedication to the recovery efforts, mindful of the tragic loss of lives and the impact on their families and workers.
The salvage operation was a collaborative effort among various agencies, including the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Transportation Authority, Synergy Mariner (represented by Witt O’Brien’s), and the Maryland State Police.
In detail provided by the Unified Command, the last major obstruction, a large steel truss, was removed from the channel last week. This was accomplished using a combination of concrete breakers, underwater surveys, and clamshell dredges.
The operation progressed significantly with the safe relocation of the M/V Dali on May 20, as described in a photo released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers showing ongoing removal efforts.
The incident occurred on March 26 when the Dali struck the Key Bridge, causing a section to collapse, resulting in the deaths of six workers and disrupting port access. Throughout the cleanup, about 50,000 tons of debris and the massive vessel, measuring 984-feet in length and 158-feet in width, were removed from the site.
The response to this disaster involved approximately 56 federal, state, and local agencies, with 1,587 responders and around 500 specialists from across the globe employing 18 barges, 22 tugboats, 13 floating cranes, 10 excavators, and four survey boats.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the Dali had experienced electrical issues, including two power blackouts while docked and two additional blackouts shortly before the collision. Investigators are currently focusing on the vessel’s electrical system.
Vehicle access via the bridge is expected to remain closed until 2028, with the reconstruction projected to cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion. President Joe Biden has committed federal assistance for the rebuilding effort.