ALBAWABA – Following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge caused by a cargo vessel collision, the Captain of the Port (COTP) is making preparations to open a temporary alternative channel for economically vital ships, according to a statement by Unified Command, a union of agencies established in response to the incident.
"This is not a Baltimore catastrophe, not a Maryland catastrophe. This is a national economic catastrophe as well,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore in an interview with CNN, adding that “the Port of Baltimore is the largest port in the country for [various industries],” stressing the need to “get the American economy going again."
Government-lit navigation aids are expected to be used to identify the temporary channel on the northeast side of the main channel, which is projected to have a controlling depth of 11 feet, a horizontal clearing of 264 feet, and a vertical clearance of 96 feet.
The statement notes that this move is just one aspect of a gradual strategy towards reopening of the main channel, “By opening this alternate route, we will support the flow of marine traffic into Baltimore,” stated Capt. David O’Connell, Federal On-Scene Coordinator.
Authorities and demolition crews are still working to remove sections of the north side of the fallen bridge’s remnants with two 650-ton and 330-ton crane barges continuously working on the scene, while dive teams with the Unified Command are still searching for missing workers, currently presumed dead.
Debris is cleared from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge as efforts begin to reopen the Port of Baltimore on March 31, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by TASOS KATOPODIS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
