First vessel passes through temporary channel carved out by Key Bridge Response Unified Command
Yesterday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s office provided an update regarding the precarious removal of the collapsed Key Bridge still mostly sitting in the Patapsco River. Crews are working around the clock to clear the channel blocking the Port of Baltimore. And progress, slowly but surely, is being made in that endeavor.
On April 1, the first vessel passed through a temporary and alternate channel that was cleared around the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The tugboat Crystal Coast pushing a fuel barge, transited the temporary alternate channel created by the Key Bridge Response Unified Command, at 3 p.m., yesterday and became the first vessel to use the channel since the bridge collapsed into the federal waterway on Tuesday. The barge is used to supply jet fuel to the Department of Defense (DOD) and was transiting to Dover Air Force Base.
The emergency passageway —264 feet wide and 11 feet deep— was cleared on Monday to allow essential vessels to pass along the Patapsco River around the mangled wreckage at the bridge disaster site. ~ CBS News
A second 15-foot channel is expected to open soon to allow marine vessels access to the Port of Baltimore, along with a third, even deeper channel.
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The Captain of the Port (COPT) established the temporary alternate channel near Sollers Point for commercially-essential vessels. The temporary channel is on the northeast side of the main ship channel in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This action is part of a phased approach to opening the main federal channel.
This new temporary channel is marked with government-lighted aids to navigation. It will be limited for transit at the discretion of the COTP and during daylight hours only. This temporary channel has a controlling depth of 11 feet, a 264-foot horizontal clearance, and vertical clearance of 95 feet.
The Unified Command is working to establish a second, temporary alternate channel on the southwest side of the main channel. This second channel will allow for deeper draft vessels with an anticipated draft restriction of 15 to 16 feet.
Two crane barges, a 650-ton crane and a 330-ton crane, are actively working on scene. Wreckage will continue to be lifted and transferred to a barge as daylight allows. A 230-ton land-based crane will offload and process the wreckage at Tradepoint Atlantic, which will then be taken to a disposal site.
The current 2,000-yard safety zone around the Francis Scott Key Bridge remains in effect and is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Members of the public may not enter the safety zone unless authorized by the COTP or designated representative. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or designated representative.
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.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Baltimore on Friday after last week’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Monday afternoon. ~ WBAL-TV, Baltimore
A Debris Reporting Hotline has been established. If the public encounters any debris from the incident, please contact +1 (410) 205-6625
The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command includes the:
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Maryland Department of the Environment
- Maryland Transportation Authority
- Maryland State Police
- Witt O’Brien’s representing Synergy Marine
A website with incident response information can be found at the following URL: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com
For updated information on the status of the maritime transportation system visit the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland – National Capital Region Homeport page: https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/maryland-ncr
Resources are available for businesses and individuals impacted by the Port closure: Benefit Line for Port of Baltimore Workers: +1 (667) 930-5989
Disaster Loan Assistance: https://lending.sba.gov
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 video below depicts teams in protective gear using an “exothermic cutting torch” on sections of the steel Francisc Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore as part of their massive cleanup efforts.
Also see:
- Officials will enforce ‘no drone zone’ extending for three miles around Key Bridge
- FBI on Key Bridge destruction: ‘No information to suggest ties to terrorism at this time’
- Shocking video: Entire span of Baltimore’s ‘Key Bridge’ collapses into the river below after being struck by cargo ship
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Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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