Salvage crews conduct operations onboard M/V Dali to remove wreckage and impacted shipping containers in Baltimore, Maryland, April 10, 2024. U.S. Coast Guard Photo
Baltimore Bridge Wreck Removal: Progress Report
Mike Schule
April 11, 2024: Container Removal Continues
The Unified Command is continuing to remove containers
from M/V Dali and clear wreckage at the Key Bridge incident site.
As of April 11, now four days into the process,
approximately 38 containers had been removed, a critical step for safely moving
the M/V Dali and reopening the Fort McHenry Channel. The removal of
containers will provide safe access to remove pieces of the Key Bridge that lay
across the ship’s bow, reducing the weight and allowing the vessel to be
refloated.
Wreckage and debris removal, including breaking up
submerged roadbed and removing sections of the bridge, is also ongoing. Despite
limitations for marine traffic, 69 vessels have transited through the two
temporary alternate channels opened last week.
“There has been incredible progress this week towards
our goal to open the limited access deep draft channel,” said Col. Estee
Pinchasin, commander of USACE, Baltimore District and part of the Unified
Command. USACE released the below video illustrating the salvage plan:
A 2000-yard maritime Safety Zone around the incident
site, and a Temporary Flight Restriction extends two nautical miles in radius
from the bridge center up to 1500 feet above ground level. Authorities are also
reminding the public that a zero-tolerance policy for UAS/drone use within the
FAA-established “No Drone Zone,” with potential consequences including arrest,
prosecution, fines, and imprisonment.
The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command comprises
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 Dali’s commercial manager Synergy Marine.
April 10, 2024: USACE Releases New Sonar Images
With no update from the Unified Command in three days,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released some new sonar images showing the
underwater wreckage across the main Fort McHenry shipping channel.
The images were captured using the CODA Octopus
high-definition imaging tool, which has been used to survey the wreckage
throughout the response operation.
USACE continues to aim to open a 35-foot-deep by
280-foot-wide channel by the end of April, providing limited access to vessels
until the 50-foot federal channel can potentially be opened by the end of May.
The images provide a good idea of extent of what needs to be cleared in order
to open the channels.
“The Limited Access Channel will permit larger ships
in and out of the Port of Baltimore, such as marine tugs, Maritime
Administration (MARAD) vessels, and
those used for Roll-on/Roll-off shipping,” USACE Baltimore said on X.
Images courtesy USACE Baltimore via NAVSEA SUPSAL
Meanwhile, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy provided
an update on the board’s ongoing
investigation into the incident during her re-nomination hearing before the
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. She revealed
that investigators have interviewed all relevant crew members, the two pilots,
and U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders, among others. She also revealed that the
investigators are looking into the ship’s engine room equipment, particularly
the electrical power system. She said the equipment’s manufacturer recently
sent experts from overseas to inspect the circuit breakers. A preliminary NTSB
report is expected in the first week of May.
Even though it’s been a few days since our last update
from the Unified Command, we hope to hear something soon about progress on the
bridge cutting, removal, and container extraction from the Dali.
The Unified Command on Sunday began the process of
removing containers from bow of the M/V Dali at the Key Bridge
incident site to gain access to the bridge section atop the ship. Wreckage and
debris removal is also ongoing, with parts taken to Tradepoint Atlantic at
nearby Sparrows Point. Despite limited marine traffic, 32 vessels have transited
through temporary alternate channels since their creation.
“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.”
USACE Baltimore said an estimated 50,000 tons of steel
and concrete make up the wreck of the collapsed portion of the Francis Scott
Key Bridge. “For comparison, that’s about equal to the weight of 3,800 fully
loaded dump trucks — a helpful way of understanding the scale of the task at
hand,” it wrote on X.
The removal of containers from the Dali is
crucial for its safe relocation and the eventual full reopening of the Fort
McHenry Channel. This process facilitates the removal of Key Bridge pieces from
the ship’s bow, reducing weight and enabling the ship’s movement.
April 6, 2024: Salvage Continues
The Unified Command made progress in the Key Bridge
incident salvage operations by removing a 156-ton piece of Span 19 from the
navigational channel for future disposal.
Traffic through the alternate channels is gradually
increasing, with 10 vessels transiting since yesterday.
“The Unified Command was quickly stood up and has been
making progress every day since this incident took place,” said Coast Guard
Capt. David O’Connell, federal on-scene coordinator, Unified Command. “Support
from federal, state, local authorities, and the public has been indispensable.
We are deeply grateful for these partnerships, which have been critical every
step of the way.”
April 5, 2024: Third Victim Recovered
Dive teams have recovered the body of Maynor Yasir
Suazo-Sandoval, one of the four missing construction workers, the Unified
Command said late Friday. The Maryland State Police Underwater Recovery Team,
along with other law enforcement, were involved in the recovery.
Suazo-Sandoval’s family has been notified. Out of the six victims of the
tragedy, three remain missing.
“The collapse of the Key Bridge is undoubtedly one of
the most challenging tragedies we have faced as a law enforcement agency. Along
with our local, state and federal public safety partners, we will not give up,”
said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department
of State Police. “There are families still waiting to hear if we have found
their loved one. I can promise you, we are fully committed to finding closure
for each of these families,” he said.
Biden Pledges Federal Support During Visit
President Joe Biden visited Baltimore on Friday
to tour
the site of the Francis Scott Key
Bridge collapse. During his visit, he promised that the federal government would cover the full
rebuilding costs, while also pledging to hold those responsible for the
disaster accountable.
“My administration is committed — absolutely committed
to ensuring that the parties responsible for this tragedy pay to repair the
damage and be held accountable to the fullest extent the law will allow,” Biden
commented.
Ambitious Timeline
Following the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’
announcement yesterday of a tentative timeline for reopening the Fort McHenry
Channel, USACE Baltimore has provided more details about the plan. The plan
prioritizes clearing the 50-foot deep federal navigation channel along with
establishing a Limited Access Channel, measuring 280 feet wide and 35 feet
deep, potentially by the end of May. This will allow car carriers, or
roll-on/roll-off vessels, one-way traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore
while cleanup and recovery continues.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore welcomed the ambitious
timeline, stating that it provides the certainty needed for Baltimore to plan
its recovery efforts.
“This ambitious timeline proposed by the Army Corps of
Engineers offers a level of clarity and certainty that Baltimore needs to hear
so we can collectively plan for continued recovery efforts — related to both
our economy and our infrastructure. We and our partners across all levels of
government have been pushing for a timeline, and now we have a target. We must
do everything we can to meet that target,” Moore said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved
an $8.26 million grant to
increase vehicle handling capacity at the nearby Tradepoint Atlantic terminal
at Sparrows Point. Located outside harbor, TPA’s terminal continues to function
and will serve as a hub for both regularly scheduled and diverted cargo, as
well as for storing and processing debris from the wreckage site.
April 4, 2024: USACE Reveals Tentative Timeline for
Channel Reopening
Just hours after Maryland Governor Wes Moore held a
press conference on the recovery efforts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
announced a tentative timeline for reopening the federal Fort McHenry Channel
and restoring navigation in and out of the Port of Baltimore.
USACE plans to open a limited access channel to the
Port of Baltimore within the next four weeks, or by the end of April. This 280
feet wide and 35 feet deep channel will support one-way traffic for barge
container service and some roll on/roll off vessels. Alternatively, USACE
engineers are aiming to reopen the permanent, 700-foot-wide by 50-foot-deep
federal navigation channel by the end of May, restoring port access to normal
capacity.
“Thanks to the exhaustive work of the Unified Command
during the last two weeks, including underwater surveys and detailed structural
analysis of the wreckage, we’ve developed a better understanding of the immense
and complex work that lies ahead,” said Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, USACE
commanding general. “A fully opened federal channel remains our primary goal,
and we will carry out this work with care and precision, with safety as our
chief priority.”
However, Spellmon acknowledged that theses timelines
are “ambitious” and may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions or
changes in the salvage plan.
“We are working quickly and safely to clear the
channel and restore full service at this port that is so vital to the nation.
At the same time, we continue to keep faith with the families of the missing
and are working with our partners to help locate and recover their loved ones,”
he said.
Limited Visibility: ‘Like Being in a Snow Storm with
High Beams On’
The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command said it
continuing dive and salvage operations at the site of the Francis Scott Key
Bridge collapse in Baltimore. Preparations are also underway to start removing
undamaged containers from the bow of the motor vessel Dali, which has now
been secured.
Information gathered from the dive operations is
crucial for guiding salvage efforts on the Dali. The data, gathered by
divers from Donjon Marine under the supervision of the Navy’s Supervisor of
Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), helps to assess the extent of damage sustained by
the vessel and to identify the exact locations where it is grounded.
SUPSALV is working with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Baltimore District on the underwater salvage effort. “Our team is
grateful for the opportunity to support and provide our expertise during the
dive operations,” said Capt. Sal Suerez, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving.
“Every person’s participation in this evolution is instrumental in guiding our
salvage efforts effectively.”
In a press conference, Maryland Governor Wes Moore
reiterated the challenges faced by divers, sharing underwater footage that
showed the near-zero visibility. “It’s like being in a snow storm with high
beams on,” Moore said. He explained that each diver is “buddied” with control
room operators who guide them in real-time using advanced 3D imaging.
Governor Moore also provided insight into the ongoing
efforts to restore commercial activities at the port, including the
transshipment of diverted cargo. He said that 75 rerouted containers had
recently arrived to Baltimore by rail being unloaded from a ship at the Port of
New York and New Jersey.
“This work presents a model for how we can move in
partnership to get commercial activity to the port even when the channel is
closed,” Moore said, while also acknowledging that this is not a long-term
solution.
“The 75 containers we moved today represent less than
5% of the average number of containers that the Port processed daily before the
collapse. We still have a long road ahead to getting vessel traffic back to
full capacity – but we will.”
Speaking on behalf of the Unified Command, U.S. Coast
Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath reiterated the UC’s main objectives are to
reopen the deep-draft shipping channel, remove the Dali, and clear debris
from the water. He also shared that Rigging is currently underway to remove
undamaged containers from the Dali’s bow, however the actual removal
had not yet begun.
Meanwhile, USACE Baltimore said engineers are placing
devices on each of the steel beams to understand how much force each beam is
under.
April 3, 2024: Weather Challenges Slow Wreck Removal
and Recovery Efforts
Severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and
high winds, impeded wreck removal and recovery efforts at the Francis Scott Key
Bridge on Wednesday, causing a temporary halt to dive and crane operations.
“Current conditions make it unsafe for rescue divers
to return to the water. We have to move fast — but we cannot be careless,” said
Maryland Governor Wes Moore during an afternoon press conference with members
from the Unified Command. “My directive is to complete this mission with no
injuries and no casualties.”
Moore described the underwater damage as ‘absolutely
staggering,’ as evidenced by the 3D sonar images released yesterday revealing
the mangled wreckage partially buried in mud. He said the images underscore the
complexities involved in cleaning up the wreckage and reopening the main
shipping channel.
Underwater survey image showing the collapse
Baltimore Key Bridge captured by the CODA Octopus sonar imaging tool. Image
courtesy USACE Baltimore
Poor visibility is also posing another challenge for
divers.
Removal of Containers
Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath of the U.S. Coast Guard
reiterated that the main objectives of the Unified Command remain reopening the
deep-draft shipping channel, removing the Dali, and clearing debris from
the waterway. He also disclosed that crews are prepared to begin removing
undamaged containers from the bow of the ship, pending a break in the weather.
Gilreath said the two temporary channels have already
seen 8 commercial vessel transits primarily involving tugs and barges in both
directions. “Small steps in a long marathon,” he said.
Despite the adverse weather conditions, Colonel Estee
S. Pinchasin, Commander of USACE Baltimore, emphasized that salvage operations
continue even if dive and crane operations are on hold. She said current plans
are to remove the collapsed 3,000 to 4,000-ton bridge span that is on top of
the vessel, as well debris from the far side of the channel that will allow the
new temporary channels to accommodate larger vessels.
Separately, the Unified Command issued an update that
divers have continued to conduct regular salvage assessments and mapping out
plans for future wreckage removal.
“Our operations continue but will be adjusted as
necessary in response to any adverse weather conditions,” said U.S. Coast Guard
Chief Warrant Officer Frank Schiano, Salvage Branch Director of the Key Bridge
Response 2024. “The Unified Command remains committed to re-opening the port
while ensuring safety and environmental protection.”
It appears there are three main contractors working
under the Unified Command. They are Donjon Marine, responsible for the clearing
the channel, Resolve which is salvaging the ship, and Skanska which is working
on portions of the bridge.
No Fuel Spill Detected
The Maryland Department of the Environment has
reported no detection of fuel-related contaminants in water samples taken from
upriver and downstream of the site. These findings will establish a baseline
for ongoing water quality monitoring throughout the response, recovery, and
reconstruction phases.
The 2,000-yard safety zone around the Francis Scott
Key Bridge remains in effect.
April 2, 2024: One Week Since the Accident
The Captain of the Port (COTP) has established a
second temporary channel on the southwest side of the main Fort McHenry Channel
near Hawkins Point for essential commercial vessels.
The second temporary channel is marked with lighted
aids for navigation and its use is at the discretion of the COTP and limited to
daylight hours. The channel has a controlling depth of 14 feet, a horizontal
clearance of 280 feet, and a vertical clearance of 124 feet—which is slightly
larger than the 11-ft-deep, 264-ft-wide, and 95-ft-tall clearance of the first
channel that opened yesterday, but significantly less than the 50-foot main
channel that is closed.
“The opening of these two alternate channels and
transit of critical response resources, as well as the first commercial traffic
movements through the area, is a significant milestone in our response
efforts,” said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Baxter Smoak, operations section chief of
the Key Bridge Response 2024. “Our number one priority remains the opening of
the deep draft channel. We are simultaneously focused on opening additional
routes of increased capacity as we move forward.”
Sonar Images Reveal Extent of Underwater Damage
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore
District has released the first underwater sonar images of the collapsed
Francis Scott Key Bridge. The imagery, supplied by the the U.S. Navy’s Naval
Sea System Command’s (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), were
captured using an underwater imaging tool known as “CODA Octopus,” which will
help guide divers using real-time 3D sonar due to the reduced visibility of the
water.
“With visibility clouded to just one to two feet
because of the four to five feet of mud and loose bottom of the Patapsco River…
divers must be guided via detailed verbal directions from operators in vessels
topside viewing real-time CODA imagery,” USACE Baltimore wrote on X.
Tradepoint Atlantic
Meanwhile, Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA), which operates a
bulk and break bulk terminal just outside the Francis Scott Key Bridge,
provided an update on operations to assist with restoration and recovery
efforts. The company’s marine terminal (see map below) is the only terminal at
the Port of Baltimore that sits outside the bridge and it remains open to both
scheduled arrivals and redirected cargo. Over the next fifteen days, Tradepoint
Terminals is expected to receive six regularly scheduled roll-on/roll-off
vessels, plus an additional nine redirected vessels. Combined, these vessels
will receive and process 10,000 automobiles.
It has also cleared a five-acre facility at the
terminal to receive and process recovered bridge material.
April 1, 2024: First Vessel Departs Baltimore Harbor
The tugboat Crystal Coast, pushing a fuel barge,
was the first vessel to use the temporary alternate channel created after the
Key Bridge collapsed into the federal waterway on Tuesday. The barge is used to
provide jet fuel to the Department of Defense and was en route to Dover Air
Force Base.
The Captain of the Port has established a temporary
alternate channel near Sollers Point for essential commercial vessels, located
on the northeast side of the main ship channel near the Francis Scott Key
Bridge, as part of a phased approach to opening the main federal Fort McHenry
Channel.
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The new temporary channel, which is marked with
government-lighted aids for navigation, has a controlling depth of 11 feet, a
264-foot horizontal clearance, and a 95-foot vertical clearance. Its use is at
the discretion of the Captain of the Port and is only allowed during daylight
hours.
The Unified Command said it is establishing a second,
temporary alternate channel on the southwest side of the main channel to
accommodate deeper draft vessels with an expected draft restriction of 15 to 16
feet.
Two crane barges are working to lift wreckage in
Baltimore, which will be transferred to a barge and processed at Tradepoint
Atlantic using a land-based crane before disposal.
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is
responsible for contracting out cranes, which include the 1,000-ton lift
capacity derrick barge Chesapeake 1000, the 200-ton lift capacity
revolving crane barge Ferrell and the 150-ton lift capacity crane
barge Oyster Bay. All are now on scene. Another 400-ton lift capacity
barge is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore next week.
“The [Defense Department] continues to support the
whole-of-government response in Baltimore. Through the Unified Command, the
U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating this effort in collaboration with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Navy and many others,” Deputy Pentagon Press
Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.
The current 2,000-yard safety zone around the Francis
Scott Key Bridge remains in effect.
The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command in
Baltimore 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, manager of
the MV Dali.
March 31, 2024: Bridge Cutting Continues, Plans for
Alternate Channel Emerge
The Unified Command continues operations to remove
wreckage from the Francis
Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
On Sunday, demolition crews cut parts of the collapsed
bridge truss, with two crane barges actively working on the scene. The removed
wreckage is transferred to a barge and later processed at Tradepoint Atlantic.
Each lifting operation requires an engineering analysis to guide the salvage
plans.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) has lowered
the pressure of the underwater natural gas pipeline, which runs under the
incident site, to 35psi. The Unified Command is working with BGE to inert the
pipeline and eliminate hazards and risks.
Three dive teams are surveying sections of the bridge
and the M/V Dali for future removal operations.
Alternate Channel
Meanwhile, the Captain of the Port is planning to
establish a temporary alternate channel near the Francis Scott Key Bridge for
commercially essential vessels.
“This will mark an important first step along the road
to reopening the port of Baltimore,” said Capt. David O’Connell, Federal
On-Scene Coordinator, Key Bridge Response 2024. “By opening this alternate
route, we will support the flow of marine traffic into Baltimore.”
This action is part of a phased approach to opening
the main channel. The temporary channel will be marked with government lighted
aids to navigation and will have a controlling depth of 11 feet, a 264-foot
horizontal clearance, and vertical clearance 96 feet—allowing smaller vessels
to pass.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore
District, published a infographic showing the salvage plan:
A 2,000-yard safety zone around the Francis Scott Key
Bridge remains in effect to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment. Entry into the safety zone requires permission from the COTP or a
designated representative.
The COTP will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via
VHF-FM marine channel 16, with mariners requested to monitor this channel for
the latest information.
A Debris Reporting Hotline has also been established.
The public is advised to contact +1 (410) 205-6625 if they encounter any
debris.
March 30, 2024: Bridge Cutting Commences
The Unified Command began the removal of debris from
the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on Saturday.
Highly trained demolition crews started by cutting the
top portion of the collapsed bridge’s north side into smaller sections for safe
removal. Salvage teams will use gas-powered cutters to disassemble the steel
bridge.
At the same time, divers are assessing the underwater
work site to aid future operations. Each lifting operation requires an
engineering analysis to guide salvage plans.
Two crane barges, a 650-ton crane and a 330-ton crane,
are working to transfer the sections to a barge for processing at Tradepoint
Atlantic before being taken to a disposal site.
Underwater Pipeline
The Unified Command is collaborating with Baltimore
Gas and Electric Company (BGE) to reduce pressure on an underwater pipeline
running under the incident site. The goal is to inert the pipeline to eliminate
hazards and risks, with operations continuing through the weekend.
The Unified Command maintains a 2000-yard maritime
Safety Zone for the M/V Dali recovery efforts, and a Temporary Flight
Restriction up to 1,500 feet above ground level within a three nautical mile
radius.
The NTSB today revealed that the container ship Dali had
a displacement of 112,383 metric tons (about 248 million pounds) at departure,
with a gross tonnage of 95,128, which is a measure derived from the vessel’s
internal spaces.
March 29, 2024: Equipment and Marine Assets Mobilized
The Unified Command has sent the Donjon Marine crane
barge Chesapeake 1000 crane barge to the incident site, with plans to
dispatch an additional seven cranes, ten tugs, and nine barges over the next
120 hours. Weeks Marine’s 500-ton crane barge Weeks 533 is one of the
cranes en route.
Engineers with the Unified Command plan salvage
operations for the Dali, assessing the situation to determine the safest
and most effective approach.
An overflight revealing no additional sheen in the
waters around the M/V Dali.
Crews are monitoring for oil spills and hazardous
substances at the incident site in Baltimore, with 2,700 feet of sorbent boom
deployed and the same amount of hard containment boom. An additional 16,000
feet of boom is on standby. The effectiveness of the containment measures is
being assessed and materials are replaced as needed.
The Unified Command is maintaining a 2000-yard Safety
Zone and a Temporary Flight Restriction for the M/V Dali recovery
efforts to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from
potential hazards associated with salvage work.
March 28, 2024: Response Kicks Into Gear
The Unified Command continues coordinating response
operations to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
Dive operations and vehicle recovery in Baltimore are
paused due to hazardous conditions caused by submerged wreckage and debris.
Safety Zone
A 2000-yard Safety Zone is established by the Unified
Command for the M/V Dali recovery efforts to protect personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with
salvage work.
On-scene crews are monitoring for oil spills and
hazardous substances at the incident site. Measures include 2,400 feet of
sorbent boom deployed at the site, 2,400 feet of hard containment boom around
the vessel, and an additional 1,000 feet of boom on standby.
The Unified Command conducted visual inspections of
water quality and collecting samples for testing. First responders observed a
sheen around the vessel.
Hazmat Containers
The Unified Command reports that out of 56 containers
with hazardous materials, 14 were impacted and subsequently assessed by an
industrial hygienist for potential hazards.
Air monitoring on and around the vessel is conducted,
with no volatile organic compounds or flammable vapors detected. Pollution and
debris removal operations are ongoing. No atmospheric hazards have been
identified, and safety is being continuously ensured by the Unified Command.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Witt O’Brien’s,
representing Dali’s manager Synergy Marine, have now joined the
Unified Command.
NTSB has now released B-Roll footage from on board
the Dali.
Feds Release $60 Million
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the immediate availability of $60
million in “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds for the Maryland
Department of Transportation to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The funds
serve as a down payment toward initial costs for emergency repairs, design, and
reconstruction of the bridge.
March 27, 2024: Unified Command
A Unified Command and Joint Information Center have
been established in Baltimore to coordinate response and disseminate
information for the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The command includes the
U.S. Coast Guard, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland
Transportation Authority, Maryland State Police, and Synergy Marine, Dali’s manager.
“The Unified Command’s operational priorities are
ensuring the safety of the public and first responders, accountability of
missing persons, safely restoring transportation infrastructure and commerce,
protecting the environment, and supporting the investigation,” the Unified
Command explained in a statement.
Divers recovered the first two bodies from the site.
Four remain missing and are presumed dead.
This accident has been classified by the US Coast
Guard as a major marine casualty. NTSB will lead the investigation, and the
Office of Marine Safety will investigate and establish the probable
cause.
NTSB
The NTSB held a press conference during which NTSB
Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed condolences to the victims and their families,
provided details about the investigative process and progress so far, and
provided some numbers on the amount and type of hazardous cargo on board. The
independent agency also released a
timeline of events from Dali’s VDR
data, providing some preliminary factual evidence in the critical moments from
when the Dali left the Seagirt Marine Terminal to when it struck the
bridge at around 01:29 local time on March 26th.
March 26, 2024: MV Dali Strikes Baltimore’s Francis
Scott Key Bridge
The Singapore-flagged Dali, a 984.3-feet-long
containership, was transporting 4,679 twenty-foot equivalent containers (TEUs)
when it reportedly lost power and collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott
Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing the bridge to collapse in a matter of
seconds.
The accident occurred just 50 minutes after the vessel
departed from the Seagirt Marine Terminal with 21 crew members and two pilots
on board on a voyage to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Tragically, six workers who were on the bridge at the
time of the accident are missing.
A large portion of the collapsed bridge remains across
the vessel’s bow, and the vessel remains firmly in place on the bridge
pier. No pollution has been reported at this time.
Officials say initial damage estimates for the vessel
and the bridge are greater than $500,000, exceeding the threshold for
classification as a “major marine casualty,” which also includes the loss of
six or more lives or the loss of a mechanically propelled vessel (MV) of 100 or
more gross tons.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a go team to investigate, arriving at approximately 6 a.m. Tuesday morning just hours after the accident.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of
emergency.
USACE Emergency Activated
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore
District has activated its Emergency Operations Center, clearing the way for
more than 1,100 engineering, construction, contracting and operations
specialists to provide support to local, state and federal agencies.
USACE is leading the effort to clear the Federal
channel in Baltimore as part of a larger interagency recovery effort. They are
providing underwater assessment capabilities, structural engineering support,
and waterway debris management. They are also prepared to provide hydrographic
and topographic surveying. The Baltimore District operates and maintains over
290 miles of federal navigable channels within the Susquehanna River watershed.
“Our thoughts are with those impacted by the tragic
collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” said Baltimore District Commander
Col. Estee Pinchasin. “Our Emergency Managers are closely monitoring the
incident and coordinating with partner agencies for any potential support
requests.”
DALI Ownership and Management
The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and
managed by Synergy Marine of Singapore. It is time chartered by Maersk and is
carrying Maersk customers’ cargo, however, no Maersk crew and personnel were
onboard the vessel.
“We are deeply concerned by this incident and are
closely monitoring the situation,” Maersk said in a statement. “We understand
the potential impact this may have on your logistics operation, and will
communicate to our customers once we have more details from authorities.”
Vessel Information:
- Name: Dali
- Capacity: 10,000 TEU
- Onboard
Units: 4,679 containers, 55% of which are empty (814 20ft containers,
3,823 40ft containers, 42 45ft containers)
- DWT:116,851.
- Crew: All Indian, 22 in total
- Owner: Grace Ocean Private Ltd
- Movement: Outbound from Baltimore to Colombo
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