Video: Containership Dali Successfully Moved to Baltimore Berth
The refloating operation and removal of the Dali from the wreck site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was completed this morning, May 20, with an approximately three-hour tow of the vessel. The containership with sections of the roadway and other debris still on its bow was seen coming alongside at the Seagirt Terminal at around 0900 this morning.
The Unified Command and US Army Corps of Engineers both reported that the ship regained buoyancy at around 0640. That was roughly one hour and twenty minutes as the projected high tide in Patapsco River. Reporters from the Associated Press watching the effort said the vessel appeared to start moving around 0600 with several stops and starts.
The towing operation which had tugs attached at bow and stern began around 0700. Five tugs were positioned with one on the bow and another on the stern as well as several alongside and used to push the vessel into the berth. The operation was expected to travel the approximately 2.5 miles to the Seagirt Marine Terminal at a speed of roughly .8 knots (1 mph).
(Timelapse from Unified Command showing the two-hour move of the Dali)
To prepare for the refloating operation, they reversed the earlier loading of ballast onto the ship which had been used to ensure it did not shift while the debris was being removed, and the controlled demolition a week ago of sections of the bridge that were leaning against the bow and over the deck of the ship. Up to 1.25 million gallons of ballast water were taken onto the ship to ensure it did not shift during those earlier operations which were expected to be pumped off starting midday Sunday in a total operation that was expected to last up to 21 hours.
The ship is expected to remain at Seagirt for up to four to six weeks for additional inspections. Efforts will continue to remove sections of the roadway and bridge debris from the bow of the vessel and some of the laden containers will likely be removed.
With the removal of the 158-foot-wide Dali, they are working to restore the 400-foot wide channel as they work toward the reopening of the full 700-foot, 50-foot deep channel by the end of the month. Salvage crews, using crane and barges, immediately returned to the site, and will work to remove any remaining bridge wreckage. Port officials noted that they are working up to 10 to 15 below the soft bottom into the mud to make sure all debris is removed. They expect that the channel will continue to be limited to one-way traffic at this time but are working with operators to increase the flow of shipping traffic in the port. The Maryland Transportation Authority will continue to oversee the removal of the remaining steel and concrete outside the federal channel, while the U.S. Coast Guard will make the final determinations along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the federal channel.
Video: Wreckage Removal as Dali Refloating Awaits Dive Survey
The removal of the containership Dali from Baltimore’s Fort McHenry Federal Channel remains in flux according to a report in the Baltimore Sun. The Unified Command reports they are awaiting the results of a dive survey but in the meantime, wreckage clearance is continuing and a large part of the port is reopened to traffic.
The goal had been to refloat and move the containership early in the week after the controlled demolition of the wreckage sitting against the bow was completed. First, the demolition was delayed for 48 hours till Monday due to weather concerns. Now they are waiting for a survey of the wreckage and the underwater areas around the vessel after the demolition to plan the refloating. Dredging Contractors of America CEO Bill Doyle also previously said they had dredges standing by to assist as needed in the refloating process.
The Unified Command in its update on Thursday said it had evaluated sonar and lidar imagery from around the vessel. They were awaiting the dive survey before proceeding with the refloating plan. The diving was proceeding slowly due to the dangers and conditions in the Patapsco River.
“To permit safe diver access to the Patapsco riverbed next to the vessel, Unified Command cranes must first remove submerged and unstable wreckage from the controlled demolition,” they reported. “Safety also dictates the securing or removal of severely damaged containers and overhanging wreckage from the initial bridge collapse onto the deck of the M/V Dali.”
The target for the refloating is currently about a week behind the previous schedule. Officials said during the hearings this week in Washington D.C. that they expected to refloat the ship early next week. It will then be moved to the Seagirt Terminal in Baltimore. It will undergo further inspections, including a visit by the NTSB, and additional debris will be removed. The U.S. Coast Guard said they expect the vessel to remain at the terminal for four to six weeks and then likely shift to a shipyard for repairs.
Videos released by the command show new images aboard the vessel and the extent of the damage. It also shows the ongoing efforts to remove wreckage from the ship and the surrounding area. The Unified Command also highlights that clearance is ongoing in the central part of the Fort McHenry Channel.
Currently, nearly half the 700-foot-wide channel has been cleared to an operational depth of 48 feet. While access remains restricted, this means the port has been able to expand operations. To date, officials report more than 365 vessels have transited the four Port of Baltimore temporary alternate channels.
The two large bulkers that had remained trapped have both departed the port while inbound traffic is resuming. Yesterday, Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s first car carrier, Tannhauser (24,155 dwt) returned to the port for an overnight operation to offload. She departed today, May 17.
Port officials also highlighted the first RoRo cargo ship back into Baltimore. ACL’s Atlantic Sun (55,547 dwt) made her port call. She departed on May 15 for Halifax. Earlier in the week, the port also received another containership, MSC Shanghai V (66,685 dwt / 4,800 TEU). She departed on May 15 for Savannah. Maersk also announced that it is resuming bookings for Baltimore.
Next up is the return of the cruise ships. Today, Carnival Cruise Line confirmed its ship Carnival Pride (88,500 gross tons) will make her final departure from Norfolk this weekend and she will return to Baltimore for the first time on May 26. The ship’s next sailing, a 14-day cruise to Greenland, is scheduled to sail on May 26 and is expected to operate round-trip from Baltimore. Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas (78,491 GT) is scheduled to make a five-night round trip from Baltimore on May 26 to Bermuda.
The full restoration of the 50-foot channel remains dependent on the removal of the Dali. Officials remain confident that they will have the channel fully operational by the end of the month.
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