Posted on 05/18/24
Baltimore, MD - May 18, 2024 - The refloat and transit of the M/V Dali from its current location to a local marine terminal is slated for Monday morning (subject to change).
Safety remains the Unified Command’s emphasis, as it has been during the execution of all tasks in the nearly eight weeks of salvage operations.
The refloat and transit sequence is deliberately designed to ensure all response personnel around the M/V Dali maintain control of the vessel, from refloat, transit to, and berthing at a local marine terminal.
Refloat: Optimum conditions call for the transit of the M/V Dali to commence at high tide, predicted to be Monday at 5:24 a.m. The vessel will be prepared at 2 a.m., allowing the M/V Dali to catch the peak high tide for a controlled transit.
■ The entire refloat sequence (prior to high-tide transit) is estimated to begin roughly 18 hours beforehand, starting midday on Sunday.
■ Example checklist items in this 18-hour countdown include:
o Release of some of the anchors and mooring lines currently attached to the M/V Dali (nearby tugboats on standby).
o De-ballasting of part or all of the 1.25 million gallons of water pumped onto the M/V Dali, to compensate for the weight removed during the May 13 precision cutting.
o Detailed inspections confirming all obstructions have been removed on the left (port) side of the M/V Dali by Unified Command dive survey teams.
Transit to Marine Terminal:
Once free of its current position, up to five tugboats will escort the M/V Dali the 2.5-mile distance to the local marine terminal.
■ The Dali will be escorted by tugboats as they tow/push the cargo vessel at roughly 1 mph on its transit to the marine terminal.
■ Earlier this week, a survey vessel confirmed a clear path for the M/V Dali to safely transit to the marine terminal.
■ The marine terminal is a TWIC-controlled facility; entry is strictly controlled.