Salvage crews in Baltimore have begun the process of removing containers from the cargo ship that crashed into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The removal of these containers is a crucial step toward reopening one of the nation’s main shipping lanes. This process will continue throughout the week as long as weather permits and progress is being made towards eventually moving the ship by removing sections of the bridge that lie across its bow. Thirty-two vessels have already passed through temporary channels on either side of the wreckage.
The cargo ship, known as the Dali, has been stuck under mangled steel in the Patapsco River since the accident on March 26 that resulted in the deaths of six workers. President Joe Biden recently visited the site and met with the families of the victims. Eight workers, hailing from various Central American countries, were on the bridge when it collapsed. While two were rescued, the bodies of three others were recovered in the days following the accident. However, the search for the remaining victims is ongoing.
Efforts are being made to establish temporary and alternate channels for vessels involved in clearing the debris. The Army Corps of Engineers aims to open a limited-access channel for certain types of vessels by the end of April, with the goal of restoring normal capacity to Baltimore’s port by the end of May. The White House has reported that more than 50 salvage divers and 12 cranes are working on site to cut out sections of the bridge and remove them from the waterway.
The unified command overseeing the salvage operations is making progress towards removing enough debris to open the channel to larger commercial traffic. So far, 32 vessels have passed through temporary channels, and efforts to remove containers from the Dali continue. The ultimate goal is to fully reopen the shipping lane and restore normalcy to the port as soon as possible.
The tragic accident on the Francis Scott Key Bridge has led to the deaths of six workers and ongoing efforts to locate missing victims. Salvage crews are working diligently to clear debris and open channels for vessels, with the hope of restoring full capacity to Baltimore’s port by May 31. President Joe Biden has visited the site to witness the efforts firsthand and meet with the families of the victims, highlighting the significance of the operation and the need for continued progress in clearing the wreckage.
