– Largest crane on U.S. Eastern Seaboard deployed for Baltimore bridge cleanup
– Response to cargo ship collision causing bridge collapse
– Focus on debris removal and bridge reconstruction efforts
Eko hot blog reports that Baltimore’s port witnessed a monumental effort on Friday as the largest operational crane along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard stood ready to tackle the aftermath of the devastating collision between a cargo ship and the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore Bridge.
The Baltimore bridge collapse into the harbor prompted a frenzied response, with crews meticulously assessing the extensive damage while gearing up for the arduous task ahead.
With the capacity to lift a staggering 1,000 tons, the colossal crane, which arrived late Thursday night, is poised to commence debris removal from the water come Saturday morning, revealed U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Carmen Carver.
Additionally, a second crane is en route to bolster the cleanup endeavor, signaling the urgency of the situation.
State and federal authorities are laser-focused on swiftly clearing the bustling port and initiating bridge reconstruction following the tragic incident involving the Dali, a behemoth container ship that collided with a support column, claiming the lives of six presumed dead workers.
Among them, two bodies have been recovered, while the remaining four are feared trapped beneath the water a grim reality compounded by the fact that all were immigrants from Mexico and Central America.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasized the paramount importance of locating the missing workers during a press conference, underscoring the monumental task of extricating the stranded vessel, laden with thousands of containers and ensnared by Baltimore bridge wreckage.
In response to the urgent need for resources, the U.S. government swiftly granted Maryland $60 million to kickstart debris clearance and bridge reconstruction an indication of the infrastructure’s pivotal role in the region’s shipping and transportation sectors.
Meanwhile, with the port’s operations grinding to a halt, approximately 15,000 workers find themselves in limbo, prompting Maryland lawmakers to expedite emergency legislation aimed at providing income replacement for the affected individuals.