BALTIMORE, MD—Key Bridge salvage workers and Coast Guard crews are preparing for the removal of a large piece of bridge that is currently lying on top of the M/V Dali. The ship is currently being maintained in Fort McHenry Channel, and salvage crews are working to make space for the shipping channel to reopen.

The bridge piece in question is located across the bow of the ship and is being removed as part of the Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command’s plan to safely and efficiently open the Fort McHenry Channel. The removal operation is a complex task that will require the careful consideration of numerous hazards and obstacles, including crushed containers, hull damage, and weight shifts.

Before the bridge piece can be removed, salvage teams must use specialized equipment to monitor the positioning and movement of the ship and the bridge wreckage. The equipment includes tiltometers that are used to measure the relative position of the span on the ship, as well as string gauges that can measure stress in real-time.

In addition to the safety of the salvage crew, the success of the removal operation will depend on the ability to maintain control of the shipping channel. The Unified Command is committed to restoring full access to the Fort McHenry Channel as safely and quickly as possible.

The public is reminded that a 2000-yard maritime Safety Zone has been established around the incident site. This area is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. The safety zone remains in effect and will be enforced strictly. Anyone who attempts to fly a drone or UAS within the safety zone will be subject to arrest, prosecution, fines, and/or imprisonment.

The Key Bridge Unified Command will continue to work closely with the Fort McHenry Channel authorities to ensure the safety of all parties involved. The command is committed to removing the bridge piece and restoring the channel in a safe and efficient manner, while also supporting the investigation into the incident.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Christopher Rosario