Salvage Crews Race To Dismantle Key Bridge Wreckage

Salvaged pieces of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge are shown at Tradepoint Atlantic, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Sparrows Point, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Following the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge due to a wayward cargo ship nearly three weeks ago, salvage crews are diligently working to remove the wreckage from the waterway. The operation involves the use of the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to lift heavy sections of the bridge, some weighing up to 450 tons.

Workers at the salvage yard are employing propane torches and giant shears to disassemble the metal trusses, making them more manageable for removal. The Chesapeake 1000, a renowned floating crane, is playing a crucial role in the salvage efforts.

The collapse of the Key Bridge resulted in the tragic deaths of six construction workers, with four bodies recovered so far. Salvage teams are focused on recovering the remaining two bodies as they continue to clear the debris from the waterway.

Propane torches and shears used to disassemble metal trusses.

Use of largest crane on Eastern Seaboard for heavy lifting.

Chesapeake 1000 floating crane crucial in salvage efforts.

Focus on recovering remaining two bodies of construction workers.

Temporary channel to open for commercial traffic by end of month.

Over 1,000 tons of steel already removed from water.

Divers conducting underwater surveys for safe extraction.

The ultimate goal is to open a temporary channel later this month to allow commercial traffic to resume through the Port of Baltimore, which has been largely closed since the collapse. Plans are in place to reopen the port's main channel by the end of May.

Over 1,000 tons of steel have already been removed from the water, but the process is intricate and hazardous. Divers are conducting underwater surveys to assess the wreckage and plan the safe extraction of various components.

At Tradepoint Atlantic, the sole maritime shipping terminal currently operational in the Port of Baltimore, operations have been intensified to accommodate ships originally destined for other terminals. The salvage operation is a meticulous endeavor, with crews navigating through debris, rebar, and concrete in the murky waters.

Simultaneously, efforts are underway to remove containers from the cargo ship Dali before lifting steel spans off its bow and refloating the vessel. Resolve Marine, involved in the ship refloating process, emphasizes the importance of swiftly removing the vessel from the area to eliminate potential hazards.

The salvage operation is a complex and challenging task that requires precision and caution to ensure the safe removal of debris and the resumption of maritime activities in the Port of Baltimore.