Six Presumed Dead In Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

SlaveForChrist

SlaveForChrist

Active member
Around 1:30 AM a 96,000 ton container ship on the Patapsco River, leaving the port of Baltimore, completely lost power multiple times and slammed into one of the main supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to the collapse of much of the bridge. The crew managed to send a mayday, and traffic in both directions was shut down just before the collision. Unfortunately a crew of 8 construction workers repairing potholes was working the night shift on the bridge. Two were recovered (one in critical condition) but the other 6 are now presumed dead.

The bridge is a major thoroughfare for the area for trucking and commuters, especially for hazmat material transportation (the other two nearby highway passages through the area are both tunnels which do not allow hazmat materials). On top of that the bridge collapsed directly into the river, and that is the only way out for any ships to enter or leave the Baltimore harbor. Likely going to take years to remove and replace.

The bridge was built in the 70s IIRC, and did not have many of the fenders/bumpers that have been developed, around it to deal with the much larger and heavier ships of today potentially colliding.

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www.cnn.com

Here's what you should know about the historic Francis Scott Key Bridge​

From CNN staff

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after a massive container ship lost power and crashed into the iconic Baltimore bridge, sending people and vehicles into the frigid Patapsco River.
Six people, believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead and the Coast Guard has ended its active search and rescue mission.
Here's what you should know about the historic bridge:
  • How old?: The Francis Scott Key Bridge, also referred to as just the Key Bridge, opened to traffic in March 1977 and is the final link in the Baltimore Beltway, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA.) It crosses over the 50-foot-deep Patapsco River, where former US attorney Francis Scott Key found inspiration to write the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, the MDTA says.
  • How long?: The bridge was 1.6 miles long when standing, MDTA reports.
  • Traffic volume: More than 30,000 people commuted daily on the bridge, according to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
  • How much did it cost?: The bridge cost $60.3 million to build, MDTA says. Since its collapse, President Joe Biden said he’s committed to helping rebuild the bridge as soon as possible.
  • About the port: Baltimore ranks as the ninth biggest US port for international cargo. It handled a record 52.3 million tons, valued at $80.8 billion, in 2023. According to the Maryland state government, the port supports 15,330 direct jobs and 139,180 jobs in related services.
  • About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. Dali is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk. The ship is about 984 feet long, according to MarineTraffic data. That’s the length of almost three football fields.

6 people presumed dead after Baltimore bridge collapse, Coast Guard says. Here's what we know​

From CNN staff

As the sun sets in Baltimore, six people are presumed dead after a major bridge collapsed overnight Tuesday, according to the Coast Guard. The Francis Scott Key Bridge came down around 1:30 a.m. ET after a cargo ship collided with it.
The Coast Guard said it has ended its active search-and-rescue operation for the missing construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed.
  • What we know: Eight people were on the bridge when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and has been discharged. The Coast Guard has been searching for six other people. But, around 7:30 p.m. ET, the Coast Guard said it has transitioned to a “different phase” of operation, now it did “not believe we are going to find any of these individuals alive,” Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said.
  • About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. The vessel is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk. The US Embassy in Singapore has been in contact with the country’s Maritime and Port Authority, a State Department spokesperson said.
  • The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the collapse. A team of 24 experts will dig into nautical operations, vessel operations, safety history records, owners, operators, company policy and any safety management systems or programs, said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. A voyage data recorder will be critical to the investigation, she added.
  • Vehicles on the bridge: Officials are also working to verify the numbers of how many cars and people were on the bridge, Homendy said. Gov. Wes Moore said the quick work of authorities in closing the bridge had saved lives. Radio traffic captured how authorities stopped traffic and worked to clear the bridge seconds before the impact. Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. said there is a “distinct possibility” more vehicles were on the bridge, but authorities have not found any evidence to support that.
  • Looking ahead: NTSB will look into how the bridge was built and investigate the structure itself, including if it was flagged for any safety deficiencies, Homendy said. The federal government has also directed its resources to help with search and rescue, to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge, Vice President Kamala Harris said. Earlier, President Joe Biden said the federal government will pay to fix the bridge.
  • The economy: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned the collapse will have a serious impact on supply chains. Until the channel is reopened, ships will likely already be changing course for other East Coast ports. Ocean carriers are already being diverted from the Port of Baltimore, where the bridge collapsed, to the Port of Virginia to “keep trade moving."

DALI left common shipping lane before crash​


Large ships leaving the Port of Baltimore typically follow a standard route under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a CNN analysis of historical shipping data, but DALI diverged from that path moments before the crash.​

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Next will come the investigation, both into the bridge and its condition and construction, and into the ship and its pilot(s) and its safety history and maintenance history.
 
SlaveForChrist said:
Biden is that one friend that hears you say something and always has to one-up you no matter how full of it he is.
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Congratulations on using a local disaster scene to further your political agenda.

The coming days/months/years will be difficult for Maryland, who will need/appreciate American support independent of partisan ideology.
 
mikeT said:
Congratulations on using a local disaster scene to further your political agenda.

The coming days/months/years will be difficult for Maryland, who will need/appreciate American support independent of partisan ideology.
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I responded to another poster's post. I don't have a political agenda as I won't be voting. Try taking your meds.
 
mikeT said:
Congratulations on using a local disaster scene to further your political agenda.

The coming days/months/years will be difficult for Maryland, who will need/appreciate American support independent of partisan ideology.
Click to expand...
Good thing that train Biden has taken across was not on the bridge eh?
 
SlaveForChrist said:
Around 1:30 AM a 96,000 ton container ship on the Patapsco River, leaving the port of Baltimore, completely lost power multiple times and slammed into one of the main supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to the collapse of much of the bridge. The crew managed to send a mayday, and traffic in both directions was shut down just before the collision. Unfortunately a crew of 8 construction workers repairing potholes was working the night shift on the bridge. Two were recovered (one in critical condition) but the other 6 are now presumed dead.

The bridge is a major thoroughfare for the area for trucking and commuters, especially for hazmat material transportation (the other two nearby highway passages through the area are both tunnels which do not allow hazmat materials). On top of that the bridge collapsed directly into the river, and that is the only way out for any ships to enter or leave the Baltimore harbor. Likely going to take years to remove and replace.

The bridge was built in the 70s IIRC, and did not have many of the fenders/bumpers that have been developed, around it to deal with the much larger and heavier ships of today potentially colliding.

Loading…

www.cnn.com


Next will come the investigation, both into the bridge and its condition and construction, and into the ship and its pilot(s) and its safety history and maintenance history.
Click to expand...
This will be disruptive for Baltimore, but will have broader economic implications.

The port of Baltimore is large, employing 15,000 people. Currently most of its activities are curtailed as the investigation and cleanup continue - the amount of large debris in the channel makes shipping dangerous right now. Baltimore has specialized facilities to load and unload cars, and is a major port for this purpose, so transport of new cars to the mid-Atlantic will be disrupted. I have also heard that there will be major disruptions in certain other consumer goods, like tofu (that is the only thing I remember on that list).

Locally, this will cause some traffic issues. This bridge is part of the beltway around Baltimore (695). Traffic will have to go around the other way or find some other routes. There are two tunnels under Baltimore, but large trucks and trucks carrying hazardous materials are not permitted in those tunnels.

Biden has said the federal govt will pay to rebuild the bridge, but that will depend on Congress appropriating the money. Gov Moore and the MD congressional delegation are all committed to rebuild. However, this will take years.
 
mikeT said:
Congratulations on using a local disaster scene to further your political agenda.

The coming days/months/years will be difficult for Maryland, who will need/appreciate American support independent of partisan ideology.
Click to expand...
So you introduce political agenda.
 
vibise said:
This will be disruptive for Baltimore, but will have broader economic implications.

The port of Baltimore is large, employing 15,000 people. Currently most of its activities are curtailed as the investigation and cleanup continue - the amount of large debris in the channel makes shipping dangerous right now. Baltimore has specialized facilities to load and unload cars, and is a major port for this purpose, so transport of new cars to the mid-Atlantic will be disrupted. I have also heard that there will be major disruptions in certain other consumer goods, like tofu (that is the only thing I remember on that list).

Locally, this will cause some traffic issues. This bridge is part of the beltway around Baltimore (695). Traffic will have to go around the other way or find some other routes. There are two tunnels under Baltimore, but large trucks and trucks carrying hazardous materials are not permitted in those tunnels.

Biden has said the federal govt will pay to rebuild the bridge, but that will depend on Congress appropriating the money. Gov Moore and the MD congressional delegation are all committed to rebuild. However, this will take years.
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Bridge to nowhere.
 
Reformedguy said:
Can you believe this guy? This from the side that politicizes ever shooting and natural disaster. No self awareness whatsoever.
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Why shouldn't there be a political response to shootings and natural disasters?
That is one of the roles of govt - to deal with such things.
 
vibise said:
Why shouldn't there be a political response to shootings and natural disasters?
That is one of the roles of govt - to deal with such things.
Click to expand...
In the words of the former democratic mayor of Chicago: Never let a crisis go to waste.
 
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