Prior to removing the bridge piece, salvage teams must meticulously analyze and factor in numerous hazards and obstacles resulting from the bridge's impact. Crushed containers, hull damage, and weight shifts are among the critical considerations crews must address during the bridge removal and refloating operation of the ship.

Key Bridge Unified command salvors begin preparing for the removal of bridge section four, which lies across the bow of the M/V DALI. The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command priorities are to ensure the safety of the public and first responders, account for missing persons, safely restore the marine transportation system and commerce, protect the environment, and support the investigation of the incident.

(Key Bridge Unified Command video by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Hodges )

The safety of the salvage crew members remains a top priority during the complex operations.

Specialized equipment has been employed to closely monitor the positioning and movement of the M/V DALI and the bridge wreckage in contact with it.

Salvors with the Unified Command continue wreckage removal from the M/V DALI, May 4, 2024, during the Key Bridge Response 2024.

Debris and wreckage removal is ongoing in support of a top priority to safely and efficiently open the Fort McHenry Channel.

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Christopher Rosario)

“We’ve got a total of six of, what we call, inclinometers that measure tilt on key locations of the span and key locations of the ship so we can watch how it’s pitching and rolling with tide, and wind,” said Rob Ruthledge, a contractor working for the Key Bridge Unified Command. “We have a sensor measuring the relative position of the span on the ship so we can see, if for some reason, it starts to slip. We also have what are called string gauges, which can measure, in real-time, the stress, while they are performing operations.”

Crews have also been working to remove the portions of bridge span 17, which are in contact with the opposite side of the M/V DALI.

Salvors with the Unified Command continue wreckage removal from the M/V DALI, May 4, 2024, during the Key Bridge Response 2024.

Debris and wreckage removal is ongoing in support of a top priority to safely and efficiently open the Fort McHenry Channel.

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Christopher Rosario)

Key Bridge Unified command salvors begin preparing for the removal of bridge section four, which lies across the bow of the M/V DALI. The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command priorities are to ensure the safety of the public and first responders, account for missing persons, safely restore the marine transportation system and commerce, protect the environment, and support the investigation of the incident.

(Key Bridge Unified Command Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Hodges )

Key Bridge Unified command salvors begin preparing for the removal of bridge section four, which lies across the bow of the M/V DALI. The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command priorities are to ensure the safety of the public and first responders, account for missing persons, safely restore the marine transportation system and commerce, protect the environment, and support the investigation of the incident.

(Key Bridge Unified Command Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Hodges )

Key Bridge Unified command salvors begin preparing for the removal of bridge section four, which lies across the bow of the M/V DALI. The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command priorities are to ensure the safety of the public and first responders, account for missing persons, safely restore the marine transportation system and commerce, protect the environment, and support the investigation of the incident.

(Key Bridge Unified Command Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Hodges)

Salvors with the Unified Command continue wreckage removal from the M/V DALI, May 4, 2024, during the Key Bridge Response 2024.

Debris and wreckage removal is ongoing in support of a top priority to safely and efficiently open the Fort McHenry Channel.

(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Christopher Rosario)

Key Bridge Unified command salvors begin preparing for the removal of bridge section four, which lies across the bow of the M/V DALI. The Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command priorities are to ensure the safety of the public and first responders, account for missing persons, safely restore the marine transportation system and commerce, protect the environment, and support the investigation of the incident.

(Key Bridge Unified Command Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Hodges )