In this photo, salvors from the Unified Command can be seen preparing charges for precision cuts. These cuts are intended to remove Section 4 from the port side of the bow of the Dali container ship. The image, taken during the Key Bridge Response in Baltimore on May 7, 2024, was provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The credit for the image goes to Christopher Rosario/AP.
Salvors from the Unified Command are seen in this photo provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as they prepare charges for the upcoming precision cuts. The cuts are meant to remove Section 4 from the port side of the bow of the Dali container ship. The photo was taken on May 7, 2024, during the Key Bridge Response in Baltimore.
The officials announced on Sunday afternoon that the controlled demolition of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge’s largest remaining steel span in Baltimore has been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions.
For weeks, the crew has been making preparations to utilize explosives in order to dismantle the span. This particular section measures approximately 500 feet (152 meters) in length and has a weight of up to 600 tons (544 metric tons).
The Dali lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s support columns shortly after leaving Baltimore, causing it to land on the ship’s bow. As a result, the ship became trapped amidst the wreckage, leading to the closure of Baltimore’s busy port for most maritime traffic.
The demolition, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, has been tentatively moved to Monday evening. According to officials, the decision to reschedule was prompted by lightning in the area and rising tides on Sunday.
Six workers in a road construction team tragically lost their lives on March 26 when the bridge collapsed. The recovery efforts lasted for days, with the final body being found in the submerged wreckage just last week. These individuals were all immigrants from Latino backgrounds, who had come to the United States in search of better job prospects. They were diligently working on filling potholes during their overnight shift when the bridge gave way, causing this devastating incident.
The deliberate demolition is set to take place in order to refloat the Dali and safely navigate it back into the Port of Baltimore. This crucial operation will enable maritime traffic to resume its regular course, bringing much-needed relief to numerous longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners who have been adversely affected by the closure.
According to a news release on Sunday, officials have stated that it is not safe for the workers to be near or on the bridge truss during the final cuts.
After the demolition, hydraulic grabbers will then carefully lift the steel sections onto barges.
The video emphasizes that it is crucial to understand that the controlled demolition being discussed is not akin to what one might witness in a movie. It clarifies that, when observed from a distance, the sound resembles that of fireworks or a booming thunder, accompanied by intermittent puffs of smoke.
Approximately 6,000 tons (5,443 metric tons) of steel and concrete have already been cleared from the wreckage of the collapse. The authorities believe that the total amount of debris weighs around 50,000 tons (45,359 metric tons), which is equivalent to nearly 3,800 fully loaded dump trucks.
The officials had expressed their optimism about removing the Dali ship by May 10 and reopening the main channel of the port, measuring 50 feet (15.2 meters), by the end of May.
The Dali is set to be refloated on Tuesday during high tide, according to officials. They mentioned that a team of three or four tugboats will be responsible for maneuvering the ship to a nearby terminal within the Port of Baltimore. Once there, the ship is expected to stay for a few weeks to undergo temporary repairs before being transferred to a shipyard for more extensive repairs.
The crew members of the Dali have been confined to the vessel since the disaster occurred. According to officials, their primary responsibilities have been to maintain the ship and provide assistance to investigators. Among the crew members, 20 are from India while one is from Sri Lanka.
The bridge collapse is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI.
The Dali, chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk for a planned journey from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, encountered a major setback. The crew urgently radioed for help, reporting a loss of power and complete loss of control over the steering system. Within minutes, the ship collided with the bridge, further exacerbating the situation.
The investigation by the safety board will prioritize examining the electrical system of the ship, according to officials.
