The container ship that caused the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is set to be refloated on Monday.
The ship, named the Dali, has been stuck at the site since March 26, when it lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s supporting columns. The accident tragically resulted in the deaths of 6 construction workers and created significant traffic issues in Baltimore Harbor.
The Key Bridge Response Unified Command announced that high tide on Monday morning will provide the best conditions for the refloating operation. Up to five tugboats will assist in moving the Dali on its 2.5-mile journey to a nearby marine terminal. The entire operation is expected to take at least 21 hours.
On May 13, crews conducted a controlled demolition to remove the largest remaining part of the collapsed bridge. This step was necessary to ensure the safety and smooth progress of the refloating and transit work.
According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Dali experienced four electrical blackouts within about 10 hours before leaving the Port of Baltimore for Sri Lanka. These power issues contributed to the ship losing control and hitting the bridge.
The incident has had a significant impact on the local community and infrastructure. The refloating and removal of the Dali is a critical step in addressing the aftermath of the collapse and restoring normalcy to the area. Crews are working diligently to ensure the operation is carried out safely and efficiently.
The refloating operation marks an important milestone in the recovery efforts following this tragic event. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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