Containers Removed from M/V Dali in Baltimore

On Sunday, the Unified Command initiated the removal of containers from the M/V Dali at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident.

Salvage operations involved extracting containers from the Dali to facilitate access to the part of the Key Bridge resting on the vessel. This process of transferring containers off the Dali is expected to continue over the next few days, weather permitting.

The extraction of these containers is a crucial phase in the operation, necessary for the safe displacement of the Dali and the eventual full reopening of the Fort McHenry Channel. This step not only allows for the safe removal of the Key Bridge sections on the ship's bow but also alleviates the ship's weight, enabling it to be moved.

Concurrently, the cleanup of wreckage and debris is underway at the site, including parts of Span 19, which were transported to Sparrows Point, Maryland. Although maritime traffic has been restricted, one vessel has managed to pass through the area in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 32 vessels since the establishment of temporary alternate routes.

Coast Guard Capt. David O’Connell, the federal on-scene coordinator for the Unified Command, stated, “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. Every day we are working to achieve these goals safely and efficiently.”