Written by
Nick Blenkey
Capt. David O’Connell, Captain of the Port of Baltimore and unified command member for the Key Bridge Response 2024 speaks to Maryland Governor Wes Moore and response personnel on the incident command put up in Baltimore, Maryland, March 28, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard picture by Petty Officer third Class Carmen Caver)
Because the Unified Command arrange in response to the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge continued its efforts, information got here that the our bodies of two staff killed within the incident had been recovered.
Maryland State Police Col. Ronald Butler Jr. stated the main focus now shifts to a “salvage operation,” because the bridge’s superstructure is obstructing diver entry to the remaining victims.
“We’ve exhausted all search efforts and the areas round this wreckage, and based mostly on the sonar scans, we firmly consider the (remaining) autos are encased within the superstructure and concrete that we tragically noticed come down,” native media report him as saying,
How quickly elimination of the bridge wreckage will begin isn’t recognized however this morning White Home press secretary Karine Jeanne-Pierre stated that “beginning in the present day, the Navy is sending contracted barges and assist vessels to the Port of Baltimore to start clearing particles.”
In response to USNI Information, the Navy’s supervisor of salvage and diving will mobilize a 1,000-ton raise capability derrick barge, a 400-ton raise capability revolving crane barge and a 160-ton revolving crane, along with crucial assist autos, to assist take away the concrete and metal components of the bridge which can be at present within the Patapsco River and on high of Dali.
UNIFIED COMMAND UPDATE
The Unified Command launched the next replace this afternoon:
Dive operations and car restoration are paused because of hazardous circumstances brought on by the submerged wreckage and particles.
The Unified Command has established a 2000-yard Security Zone for the M/V Dali restoration efforts. The security zone is enforced for the safety of personnel, vessels, and the marine surroundings from the potential hazards related to salvage work.
On-Scene crews proceed to evaluate and monitor for spilled oils and unsafe substances to forestall additional discharge or launch into the marine surroundings. There’s 2,400 ft of sorbent increase deployed on the incident web site, and a pair of,400 ft of onerous containment increase with anchoring techniques deployed across the vessel. Moreover, 1,000 ft of increase is on stand-by to deploy if further prevention provides are required.
The Unified Command is addressing environmental considerations with response groups conducting visible inspections of water high quality and amassing samples for testing.
First responders have noticed a sheen across the vessel. There are 56 complete containers loaded on the vessel that contained hazardous supplies. 13 have been impacted. The 13 that have been impacted have been assessed by an industrial hygienist for potential hazards.
The chemical parts assessed have been cleaning soap merchandise, fragrance merchandise, or not in any other case specified resin. We’ve been conducting air monitoring on the vessel and across the vessel with our contractor. No risky natural compounds or flammable vapors have been noticed. We’re persevering with to air monitor all through the incident. Air pollution and particles elimination operations are on-going. Presently, no atmospheric hazards have been detected and the Unified Command continues to make sure security.
I-695 stays closed on the Outer Loop at MD 173 (Exit 1) and on the Inside Loop at MD 157/Peninsula Expressway (Exit 43). Permit further journey occasions utilizing alternate routes on I-95, I-895 and different parts of I-695.
Automobiles transporting hazardous supplies prohibited in tunnels ought to use the western part of I-695 across the tunnels. This consists of autos carrying bottled propane fuel in extra of 10 kilos per container (most of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, and important quantities of radioactive supplies.
The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command consists of the:
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Military Corps of Engineers
Maryland Division of the Surroundings
Maryland Transportation Authority
Witt O’Brien’s
Maryland State Police
