The successful removal of the 4,000-ton piece of the Key Bridge collapse from the Dali cargo ship using explosives on Monday evening marked a crucial milestone in the recovery efforts.
It has been nearly seven weeks since the tragic incident claimed the lives of six construction workers, causing significant damage to the Port of Baltimore and disrupting access to the Beltway.
The video captured the moment when the steel pieces plunged into the water.
The explosion, originally scheduled for the weekend, occurred within seconds and resembled a brief fireworks display.
The plan to fully reopen the main channel in the Patapsco River and restore access to the Port of Baltimore by the end of May is still on track, according to Unified Command.
According to Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we have reached a significant milestone today.
What happened?
Explosives were placed on the steel and cuts were made before being covered with a durable-looking tape.
The explosion resembled a display of fireworks, compelling anyone within a 2,000-yard radius to wear hearing protection.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deemed this method as the safest and quickest approach to eliminate the enormous amounts of debris that were trapping the colossal vessel.
Crew members remain on the ship.
Despite everything, over 20 crew members stayed on board throughout the ordeal.
Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath from the U.S. Coast Guard stated that the crew members remain on board as they play an integral role in ensuring the safety and functionality of the ship.
Safety is top priority
During his speech, Maryland Governor Wes Moore vividly described the intricate and high-stakes operation involved in removing the tons of steel from the ship and ensuring it falls precisely into the Patapsco River.
The event had to be rescheduled twice because of unfavorable weather conditions.
“Safety is our number one priority in this operation, and I’m proud to say that we have successfully completed this mission without a single injury,” stated Moore confidently.
Getting Dali refloated
According to Colonel Estee Pinchasin, a representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the upcoming phase involves the removal of the Dali.
Removing the ship and reopening the channel will still require a few more days.
According to Pinchasin, once the wreckage is in the channel, their team will proceed with refloating the vessel. He mentioned that their salvors are fully prepared with the necessary equipment to retrieve the wreckage, just like they have been doing for the past seven weeks. The plan is to lift the wreckage using a grabber and cut it down further before removing it.
Message for bridge collapse victims
In a heartfelt address, the governor conveyed a message of solace to the grieving families of the six individuals who tragically lost their lives. With the recent recovery of the final body, the painful chapter of this devastating incident has come to a close.
“I made a promise that we would use every resource available to bring your loved ones back, and I sincerely hope that our commitment brings you some solace,” expressed Gov. Wes Moore compassionately.
Law firms to assist potential lawsuits
Maryland’s Attorney General has enlisted the support of five law firms to provide assistance in the event of any possible legal action.
The Maryland Transportation Authority Board has given the green light to a request for a “contingent fee contract” for a group of law firms. These firms will be serving as the assistant counsel to the attorney general in pursuing legal action against the responsible parties involved in the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse.
The state will pay outside counsel based on the damages recovered under the contingent fee arrangement. The approval of this request will be presented to the Board of Public Works (BPW) during its meeting on Wednesday, May 15.
Attorney General Brown expressed the commitment of the state agencies and the people of Maryland to seek compensation from the responsible parties for the damages resulting from the M/V Dali’s collision with the Key Bridge. He emphasized the need for an effective approach and announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has formed a team of law firms with extensive knowledge and experience in maritime disasters, tort litigation, insurance recovery, and dispute resolution.
Several law firms are involved in this matter, including Kelley Drye & Warren, Liskow and Lewis, Partridge LLC, The Lanier Firm, and, serving as local counsel, the Maryland firm of Downs Ward Bender Herzog & Kintigh.
“We will ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable. According to Lloyds of London, this will be the most costly maritime disaster in our history. We have full confidence that those who need to face consequences will indeed face consequences, and they will actively participate in the reconstruction efforts,” stated Moore.
