Baltimore crews are preparing to use precision explosives to rescue the Dali container ship from beneath the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Salvage crews plan to detonate explosives to separate pieces of the bridge truss from the ship, which were scattered in containers at the bow, said Joint Forces Chief Petty Officer Ronald Hodges.
Authorities determined it was safe for the crew to remain on board and evacuate the ship while the explosives were detonated.
“Unified Command made that choice with their safety as a top priority,” Hodges said.
Two factors led officials to this method of separating bridge debris from the Dali: crew safety and speed.
“This is the safest method for the crews that are actually working to remove that span, in addition to the fact that it's a much faster method,” Hodges said.
For weeks since the deadly bridge collapse on March 26, crews working atop cranes have painstakingly cut pieces of steel to prepare sections for removal. The use of explosives speeds up the recovery process and helps minimize risks for crane operators working under harsh conditions.
A spokesperson for Dali Ship's owner said authorities had been informed of the plans and company representatives remained on site.
“Safety is everyone's top priority,” spokesman Darrell Wilson said, adding that he trusted the experts' assessments and plans. “Within the salvage community, some of the best experts in the field are working on this response in Baltimore.”
The latest development came on Tuesday when a salvage team discovered the body of construction worker Jose Maynor López, the last missing victim of the collapse.
“It is with heavy hearts that today marks an important milestone in our recovery efforts and bringing closure to the loved ones of the six employees who lost their lives in this tragic event,” said Maryland State Director. said Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. of the state police.
The precision explosive method used to extricate the ship from the wreckage is expected to be a “multi-day process” with a fluid schedule depending on the weather.
The Port of Baltimore announced last week that the 45-foot Fort McHenry Restricted Channel would reopen “on or about May 10 in response to the anticipated removal of the Dali vessel.”
Hodges said authorities are doing everything they can to prevent further damage, adding that they will analyze the potential impact before removing it from the water.
Hodges noted that the process is similar to the one used for Gov. Harry W. Nice's removal in 2023.
Officials recently estimated that rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge could take until 2028. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintained its goal of reopening the Port of Baltimore's 700-foot-wide, 50-foot-deep permanent channel by the end of May.