Planes and Boats and Trains. Wrecks!

[chancery]

I suspect it's primarily for work boats involved in the FSK salvage project, plus possibly other routine work and maintenance on stranded vessels and other infrastructure throughout the large portion of the harbor inland of the fallen bridge. Not for commerce.

[Foggy]

... nobody ever asks me to demolish anything

I know, right? Me neither! It's dividious inscrimination! Or invidious discrimination, sumpin' like that!

A controlling depth of only 11 feet will greatly limit the ships that can use that temporary channel.

That's how I see it. Not deep enough for the big kids to play.

[Volkonski]

At last some better reporting.

Auxiliary channel to Baltimore port expected to open Monday

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watc ... en-monday/

O’Connell, in an interview with CBS News, said the Coast Guard is also planning an auxiliary channel to run along the south side of the main channel that could accommodate boats up to 14 feet. Preexisting debris along the south side needs to be removed, a process that is expected to take place this week, he said.

These channels will primarily be for response vessels, commercially essential vehicles and individuals assisting in the salvage process, CBS News reported. There is currently a 2,000-yard safety zone around the bridge that no vessel or person is allowed to enter without permission from the captain of the port or a “designated representative,” per the Coast Guard.

He told the outlet a third channel with up to 25 feet of depth is being discussed, though debris around the Dali needs to be removed first.

“I anticipate smaller draft commercial vessels, maybe some small tugs in the next few days,” O’Connell told CBS News. “That’s that 13-to-14-foot draft, but that — unfortunately, that’s not a lot of vessels. But it certainly is a start on our way to phase three, which will hopefully get us to 20-to-25-foot draft and that would be a lot more commercial vessels.”

[northland10]

I've always wanted to have a go with shaped charges used for demolition: you wrap the cord round the member, press the big red button, and the explosive in the cord forces a jet of molten copper into the steel, producing a surprisingly neat cut.

But nobody ever asks me to demolish anything

It's probably cause I'm still really tired, but that sounds naughty.

[Sam the Centipede]

I've always wanted to have a go with shaped charges used for demolition: you wrap the cord round the member, press the big red button, and the explosive in the cord forces a jet of molten copper into the steel, producing a surprisingly neat cut.

But nobody ever asks me to demolish anything

It's probably cause I'm still really tired, but that sounds naughty.

Perhaps you've been thrashing your organ too hard?

[Volkonski]

Update 5 Multimedia Release: First vessel passes through temporary alternate channel around Key Bridge wreckage

https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/p ... d-key-brid

The tugboat Crystal Coast pushing a fuel barge, transited the temporary alternate channel created by the Key Bridge Response Unified Command, at 3 p.m., today and is the first vessel to use the channel since the bridge collapsed into the federal waterway on Tuesday.

The barge is used to supply jet fuel to the Department of Defense (DOD) and was transiting to Dover Air Force Base.The Captain of the Port (COPT) established the temporary alternate channel near Sollers Point for commercially-essential vessels. The temporary channel is on the northeast side of the main ship channel in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This action is part of a phased approach to opening the main federal channel.

This new temporary channel is marked with government-lighted aids to navigation. It will be limited for transit at the discretion of the COTP and during daylight hours only. This temporary channel has a controlling depth of 11 feet, a 264-foot horizontal clearance, and vertical clearance of 95 feet.

The Unified Command is working to establish a second, temporary alternate channel on the southwest side of the main channel. This second channel will allow for deeper draft vessels with an anticipated draft restriction of 15 to 16 feet.

The typical loaded barge draft for the inland waterway system is 9 feet.

[Whatever4]

I've always wanted to have a go with shaped charges used for demolition: you wrap the cord round the member, press the big red button, and the explosive in the cord forces a jet of molten copper into the steel, producing a surprisingly neat cut.

But nobody ever asks me to demolish anything

It's probably cause I'm still really tired, but that sounds naughty.

And very very painful.

[RTH10260]

Ship Had Electrical Issues Days Before Baltimore Bridge Collision: Report

Josh Fiallo Breaking News Reporter
Published Mar. 27, 2024 4:57PM EDT

Dali, the ship behind the fatal bridge collapse in Baltimore on Wednesday, had suffered from a “severe electrical problem” for days before it lost power during its ill-fated trip out of the Maryland harbor, a port worker told a CNN affiliate on Thursday. Julie Mitchell, co-administrator of Container Royalty, a company tracks the tonnage on container ships coming in and out of Baltimore, said the massive container ship had sat in the port for two days suffering from “total power failure, loss of engine power, everything.” Now Mitchell is pointing a finger at those who gave the ship an OK to leave port despite its alleged issues. “They shouldn’t have let the ship leave port until they got it on under control,” she said, adding that she’s unsure whether decision makers thought the issue was fixed before Dali set sail. Six construction workers are presumed dead in the tragedy, which authorities say likely would have been much worst had bridge workers not shut down traffic on the Francis Scott Key Bridge just before impact after a “mayday” call came in from Dali. Ten vessels, including bulk carriers and naval ships, were stuck in Baltimore by the wreckage on Wednesday.



https://www.thedailybeast.com/port-work ... s-for-days

[bill_g]

This must be one of those often boasted moments where market forces, not regulations, will make business be good actors. It's in their best interest blah blah blah. Everything will be peachy.

[northland10]

Not a great time for ships.

https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/700- ... or-repairs#

700-foot cargo ship freed from Saint Mary's River, headed to Ohio for repairs

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU) -- A 700-foot bulk cargo ship has left the Saint Mary's River for Ohio after getting stuck last Thursday.

The Coast Guard blocked shipping traffic at the Soo Locks for a day and a half after the American Mariner had run into a navigational aid, damaging its hull below the water line.

Lt. Phillip Gurtler said the Coast Guard thinks there was an issue with the carrier's steering, but full investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.

Gurtler said the ship is now heading to Ashtabula, Ohio, for repairs and that the concrete navigational aid is in place and working.

[W. Kevin Vicklund]

There's also a double drawbridge out in St Joseph, MI (not far from Chicago) that needs a part, preventing ships from navigating the river (vehicular traffic can still cross).

[Volkonski]

Update 6 Multimedia Release: Unified Command opens second temporary alternate channel around Key Bridge wreckage for commercially essential vessels

https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/p ... nd-key-bri

The Captain of the Port (COTP) established a second temporary alternate channel on the southwest side of the main channel near Hawkins Point in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge for commercially essential vessels.

This action is part of a phased approach to opening the main channel. The second temporary channel is marked with government lighted aids to navigation and will be limited to transit at the discretion of the COTP and during daylight hours only. It has a controlling depth of 14 feet, a 280-foot horizontal clearance, and a vertical clearance of 124 feet.

[Volkonski]

Update 8 Multimedia Release: Unified Command divers from partner agencies continue inspection of the port and starboard side of the M/V Dali

https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/p ... ion-of-the

The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command continues dive and salvage operations on the Motor Vessel Dali at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Thursday.

The information collected is used during salvage operations and is conducted by divers contracted under the Navy’s supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV).

The divers’ primary objectives are to assess any damage sustained by the vessel and pinpoint the exact locations where it is grounded. By identifying any potential damages and determining the precise grounding site, the Unified Command can prioritize the necessary actions to mitigate risks and ensure the safe recovery of the vessel.

“Our team is grateful for the opportunity to support and provide our expertise during the dive operations,” said Capt. Sal Suerez, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, “Every person’s participation in this evolution is instrumental in guiding our salvage efforts effectively.”

Dive teams from the Maryland State Police are standing by to assist with the recovery operation as soon as it is safe to do so.

[AndyinPA]

https://www.axios.com/2024/04/05/baltim ... army-corps

Engineers are aiming to restore Port of Baltimore access to normal capacity by the end of May following the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that forced the rerouting of container ships in the key shipping hub.

State of play: That's according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District statement Thursday night that noted first a "limited access channel 280 feet wide and 35 feet deep" to the port would open by the end of April ahead of reopening the permanent, 700-foot-wide by 50-foot-deep federal navigation channel.

[Rolodex]

Interesting (to me, at least) side story to the crane that working on the Key Bridge situation:

The crane is called the Chesapeake 1000, named for the 1,000 tons it can lift. Its nickname is "Chessy," and because of its sheer size, it has held many prominent jobs over the decades.

That includes a secret CIA mission during the Cold War.

Story about the secret mission of Chessy!
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/05/12428879 ... chessy-cia

[Volkonski]

How things have changed over the decades. Navigation channels are now 50 feet deep. In the 1800s-

“Quarter” 1-1/2 feet (1/8 of a twain)
“Half” 3 feet (1/4 twain)
“Quarter Less” 4.5 feet (1/2 twain minus 1-1/2 feet)
“Mark One” 6 feet (1/2 twain)
“Quarter One” 7-1/2 feet
“Half One” 9 feet
“Quarter Less Twain” 10-1/2 feet
“Mark Twain” (safe water) 12 feet (seem to recall that there was a Mississippi River boat pilot associated with this depth. )
“Quarter Twain” 13-1/2 feet
“Half Twain” 15 feet
“Quarter Less Three” 16-1/2
“Mark Three” 18 feet
“Quarter Three” 19-1/2 feet
“Half Three” 21 feet
“Quarter Less Four” 22-1/2 feet
“Mark Four” 24 feet
“No Bottom” Any depth over 24 feet

[Sam the Centipede]

Didn't they ever use fathoms for depth?

I cannot be bothered to look it up, but I'd guess "twain" is etymologically "two" or "twice", which would be two fathoms (fathom = 6 ft, twain = 12 ft). Where did the fathom go?

For hippocampologists, a fathom is 18 hands. You're welcome.

[AndyinPA]

https://wapo.st/43LFBnI Gifted

Step-by-step graphics

Experts say the road ahead will be long, dangerous and expensive. One analysis predicted insurance payouts from the bridge collapse could total $2 billion to $4 billion.

The task before the crews is daunting. The waters of the Patapsco River are chilly and inky. Twisted steel could suddenly shift, imperiling workers. There are still 764 tons of hazardous materials on the stranded ship. Those are just a few of the challenges.

So far, crews have removed a 200-ton section of the bridge and opened two small channels near the wreckage to allow limited boat traffic to the port. A third deeper water channel will be opened by the end of April, and officials hope to restore normal traffic by the end of May.

Officials say they will proceed with a three-step plan: clear the 50-foot deep, 700-foot wide shipping channel, remove the bridge trusses resting on the cargo ship and float it away, and clear the riverbed of any remaining debris. Work on each step is happening at the same time.

[AndyinPA]

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4576 ... e-funding/

The House Freedom Caucus is issuing a series of conditions for considering funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, as Congress awaits a supplemental request from the Biden administration.

In an official position released Friday, the conservative group demanded that any funding for the bridge be “fully offset” and called on the Biden administration to first lift its pause on approvals for natural gas export projects before discussing a supplemental for the bridge.

“[T]he Biden Administration’s pause on approvals of liquified natural gas export terminals — which, like the Baltimore harbor closure, has severe implications for foreign trade — must be lifted before Congress considers appropriating any funding for the bridge reconstruction,” the group wrote.

The Freedom Caucus — which is comprised of roughly three dozen hard-line conservatives — is also asking authorities “seek maximum liability from the foreign shipping companies upfront” and that the Baltimore port “draws upon already available federal funds” before Congress considers any supplemental funding to rebuild the bridge.

The conservative group released its position shortly before President Biden was scheduled to travel to Baltimore to visit the site of the collapsed bridge, which fell last week after being struck by a cargo ship.

Cross-posted in Republicans Behaving Badly https://thefogbow.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... 31#p255431

[Volkonski]

Update 9 Release: Unified Command dive teams recover body of missing worker

https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/p ... ing-worker

Unified Command dive teams have recovered the body of a missing person at the Key Bridge incident site in Baltimore, at approximately 10:30 a.m., April 5, 2024.

The recovered individual was identified as 38-year-old Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval.

Unified Command salvage dive teams located what they believed to be the missing construction worker and notified the Maryland Department of State Police. Maryland State Police Underwater Recovery Team deployed in coordination with dive teams from allied law enforcement partners and recovered Suazo-Sandoval.

Maryland State Police investigators, along with an FBI Victim Specialist, Baltimore County Critical Response Team, Governor's Office of Immigrant Affairs met with and notified Suazo-Sandoval’s family.

“The collapse of the Key Bridge is undoubtedly one of the most challenging tragedies we have faced as a law enforcement agency. Along with our local, state and federal public safety partners, we will not give up,” said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police. “There are families still waiting to hear if we have found their loved one. I can promise you, we are fully committed to finding closure for each of these families,” he said.

[bill_g]

[Lani]

Me, too.

[Volkonski]

Update 10 Multimedia Release: Salvage operations continue at site of Key Bridge incident

https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/p ... e-incident

The Unified Command continued salvage operations at the Key Bridge incident. Progress included the removal of a 156-ton piece of Span 19 outside of the navigational channel, which was hoisted and loaded onto a barge for future disposal.

Traffic through the alternate channels, while still limited, is gradually increasing, with 10 vessels transiting since yesterday.

[Volkonski]

Update 11 Multimedia Release: Removal of containers onboard M/V Dali commences at site of Key Bridge incident

https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/p ... key-bridge

The Unified Command began to remove containers onboard M/V Dali at the Key Bridge incident site, Sunday.

Salvors removed containers from the M/V Dali as part of the effort to gain access to the portion of the Key Bridge that lies atop the ship. The transfer of containers from the M/V Dali will continue in the coming days, as weather permits. The media is invited to observe this operation on site and can request an embed by registering at Key Bridge Response JIC.

In parallel, wreckage and debris removal continued at the site, including portions of Span 19 that were taken to Sparrows Point, Maryland. While marine traffic is still limited, one vessel has transited through in the last 24 hours, totalling 32 since the creation of the temporary alternate channels.

[AndyinPA]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compani ... r-BB1lkLjO

EAST PALESTINE ‑ Norfolk Southern has reached a $600 million class-action lawsuit settlement over the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, according to those involved in the case.

The lead attorneys representing the victims and Norfolk Southern announced on Tuesday that the two sides have reached an agreement in principle. The multi-million dollar deal still needs to be approved by U.S. District Court Judge Benita Pearson in Youngstown.

Both sides issued their own statements over the litigation resolution.
Norfolk Southern's statement on lawsuit settlement

According to Norfolk Southern, the settlement is "another promise kept by Norfolk Southern to make it right for the people of East Palestine and the surrounding communities."