Dive operations and vehicle recovery have been temporarily halted at the Key Bridge collapse site due to the presence of submerged wreckage and debris, creating hazardous conditions, as stated in a news release from the Unified Command.
The Unified Command has established a Safety Zone spanning 2000 yards for the ongoing M/V Dali recovery efforts. Crews on-site are diligently assessing and monitoring for any potential spills of oils and hazardous substances.
The Unified Command is actively addressing environmental concerns by deploying response teams to conduct visual inspections of water quality and collect samples for testing purposes, as mentioned in the release.
Out of the 56 containers onboard the vessel that contained hazardous materials, 13 were impacted and evaluated by an industrial hygienist to determine potential hazards.
Reportedly, the hazardous materials included soap products, perfume products, and unspecified resin. Air monitoring around the ship has not detected any volatile organic compounds or flammable vapors, as confirmed by the Unified Command.
The Unified Command comprises various agencies, including the US Coast Guard, US Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of Environment, Maryland Transportation Authority, emergency management company Witt O'Brien’s, and Maryland State Police, all working collaboratively to address the situation.
