Official announcements from Maryland Department of Transportation

Cargo Ship Dali Refloated and Moved Back to Port After Two Months, Six Deaths in Baltimore Bridge Collapse

May 20, 2024, 12:53 PM

The cargo ship Dali, which caused the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge nearly two months ago, has been successfully refloated and moved back to port. The incident, which occurred on March 26, resulted in the deaths of six construction workers and has significantly impacted the Port of Baltimore. The refloating operation began early Monday morning at high tide, around 5:24 a.m., involving extensive preparations and the use of five tugboats to guide the vessel to a local marine terminal. The 948-foot-long ship had been stuck at the crash site in the Patapsco River, obstructing the channel and paralyzing a major eastern U.S. port. The ship's 21-member crew remained onboard throughout the ordeal. Unified Command oversaw the operation. Maryland Governor Wes Moore confirmed that this milestone marks a critical step towards fully reopening the port.