Removal of containers at site of Key Bridge incident

08 Apr 2024 / Baltimore, United States

The Unified Command began to remove containers onboard M/V Dali at the Key Bridge incident site on Sunday [7 April].

Salvors removed containers from the M/V 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 M/V Dali will continue in the coming days, as weather permits. The media is invited to observe this operation on site and can request an embed by registering at Key Bridge Response JIC.

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, totalling 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…

…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.

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…

(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at [email protected])

Source: Extracts from Key Bridge Response (www.keybridgeresponse2024.com) press release dated 7 April 2024

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