A new phase of debris-clearing efforts at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is set to begin, with the arrival of a massive hydraulic grab that will work alongside the Chesapeake 1000 crane. The grab, weighing 165 metric tons when empty and capable of holding up to 1,000 metric tons, will be a crucial part of debris-removal operations at the bottom of the Patapsco River. This comes as a 35-foot channel is set to open, allowing larger vessels to travel into the Baltimore harbor and salvage operations to shift towards clearing debris from the main 50-foot channel. The Port of Baltimore has been blocked to most vessel traffic since the collapse of the bridge on March 26, which killed six construction workers.
The Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel is expected to open to commercially essential vessels from Thursday until the following Monday, with access granted based on vessel size and other factors. Deeper-draft vessels will need to be helmed by a Maryland pilot and escorted by two tugboats. After Monday, the temporary channel will remain closed until at least May 10 to allow for salvage operations to fully clear the channel. The hydraulic grab, which is unique in its size and features, was built in the Netherlands in 2015 and has been used in previous salvage operations, such as clearing wreckage from the Troll Solution offshore oil rig that collapsed in 2015.
The arrival of the hydraulic grab marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to clear the debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and reopen the Port of Baltimore to vessel traffic. The grab’s unique features, including four independent hydraulic claws, make it a valuable tool in the subsurface debris removal process. The opening of the 35-foot channel will allow larger vessels to access the harbor, while salvage operations will focus on clearing debris from the main 50-foot channel, which has been blocked since the bridge collapse in March. The Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel will provide temporary access to commercially essential vessels, with access granted based on vessel size and other factors.
The Coast Guard has issued a marine safety bulletin detailing the plan for opening the Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel to vessels from Thursday to Monday, with further closures planned until at least May 10 to accommodate salvage operations. Weather conditions may impact the schedule, and vessels needing access to the new channel will have to request approval and comply with specific requirements. The success of these salvage operations will depend on the coordination of various teams and equipment, including the hydraulic grab and the Chesapeake 1000 crane. The grab’s capabilities make it a key player in the next stage of debris-clearing efforts at the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The hydraulic grab will play a crucial role in the upcoming subsurface debris removal operations at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, following the opening of the 35-foot channel and the start of salvage operations in the main 50-foot channel. The grab’s unique design and features make it well-suited for the task of clearing wreckage from the river bottom, and its arrival signals a new phase in the ongoing efforts to reopen the Port of Baltimore to vessel traffic. The Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel will provide temporary access to essential vessels, with access restrictions based on vessel size and other criteria. Salvage operations will continue to be dynamic and challenging, with the success of the operation hinging on the coordination of various teams and equipment.
