# Bridge collapse in Baltimore {2024-03-26}

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Tags:** breaking-news\
**Created:** [March 26, 2024, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372 "2024-03-26T08:11:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 20

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/381 "2024-04-15T18:40:10Z")

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> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#):
>
> It wouldn’t surprise me if the collision knocked enough of the containers askew and at least partially free of their tethers that taking them off is like a multi-ton game of Jenga.

I’ve heard TV talking heads quote people actually involved in the salvage who described it as “a game of Jenga you don’t want to lose”.

> [@Spiderman](#):
>
> There is now a criminal investigation - _The FBI and the US Coast Guard are leading the criminal investigation into the disaster and whether the crew failed to report an earlier issue with the vessel that delayed its departure, the official said._

> [@Love\_Rhombus](#):
>
> I wonder if it’s SOP or they really have something.

Could be a little of both - investigations of things like this have to, at a minimum, rule out criminal factors which might be as “minor” as fudging repair and maintenance records a bit to, well, use your imagination.

Of course, all those rules and regs about maintenance and repair exist for a reason and failing to do things the right way is still criminal. If some questions aren’t asked you can’t assert the investigation was done properly.

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/382 "2024-04-16T00:21:49Z")

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They recovered a 4th body. No identification yet.

I’m seeing pictures of bridge parts on barges but no videos of the cranes moving them.

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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/383 "2024-04-16T00:34:52Z")

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> [@Magiver](#):
>
> I’m seeing pictures of bridge parts on barges but no videos of the cranes moving them.

Here is some video of it. It is a slow process but you can speed up the video:

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Bezqyi6p0B4/hqdefault.jpg "Largest Section of Bridge to Date Removed") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bezqyi6p0B4&t=1200/)

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/384 "2024-04-16T02:29:57Z")

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Cool, thanks for the video link. You can seem them move a large piece as well as another crane dredging nearby.

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**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/385 "2024-04-16T11:58:59Z")

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For those of us who don’t want to sit through 40+ minutes to find the interesting part, where in that video is the crane lift?

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**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/386 "2024-04-16T12:04:10Z")

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> [@smithsb](#):
>
> We’ll just have to wait until the investigation is complete

So, now that the FBI is involved, is this an official “criminal investigation” or just part of the regular investigative routine?

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**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/387 "2024-04-16T14:01:58Z")

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> [@Broomstick](#):
>
> For those of us who don’t want to sit through 40+ minutes to find the interesting part, where in that video is the crane lift?

It kinda gets “interesting” at around 20 minutes in but the lift is reaaaallly slow so there is no real interesting moment. It takes tens of minutes to lift the bit. You can speed up the video to x2 which helps (built into the YouTube controls) or you can slide the progress selector and a little preview window pops-up. Moving that you can see the lift in a few seconds.

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**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/388 "2024-04-17T03:51:37Z")

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I was involved in the aftermath of a similar incident a number of years ago. I was on board doing legal stuff and I thought I’d take a break and go out on deck to watch the cranes in action. After ten minutes of snoozefest I left. It’s like watching grass grow.

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**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/389 "2024-04-23T19:37:34Z")

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Bound to happen: [Baltimore leaders accuse ship's owner and manager of negligence in Key Bridge collapse](https://www.aol.com/news/baltimore-leaders-accuse-ships-owner-212219939.html)

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**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/390 "2024-04-23T23:26:27Z")

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Baltimore is trying to build the case that the US statutory limitations on liability shouldn’t apply.

> **[Baltimore opposes capping shipowner's liability in Key Bridge collapse -...](https://thedailyrecord.com/2024/04/22/baltimore-opposes-capping-shipowners-liability-in-key-bridge-collapse-calls-actions-potentially-criminally-negligent/)**
>
> Baltimore is opposing an effort to cap the liability of the companies that own and manage the Dali, the ship that toppled the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

I imagine the State of Maryland feels similarly, but I don’t know the degree of their involvement in this.

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/391 "2024-04-23T23:30:30Z")

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The maintenance logs better be in ship shape and Bristol fashion. If there were any issues at all the Captain could have had tugs at hand as backup.

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**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/392 "2024-04-25T17:07:52Z")

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And the first trapped cargo ship flees to open water through the new channel. Woot!

[https://thehill.com/regulation/transportation/4621139-first-cargo-ship-passes-through-new-channel-since-baltimore-bridge-collapse/](https://thehill.com/regulation/transportation/4621139-first-cargo-ship-passes-through-new-channel-since-baltimore-bridge-collapse/)

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**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2024, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/393 "2024-04-25T17:25:14Z")

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> [@Machine\_Elf](#):
>
> > [@Cervaise](#):
> >
> > Given the position of the bridge, I assume this means the Port will be inaccessible for weeks if not longer.
> 
> I think this is pessimistic. As soon as all of the victims’ bodies have been accounted for, given the economic importance of the port, demolition crews will be removing debris as fast as possible to clear a navigable path for ships. I suppose two weeks counts as “weeks if not longer”, but I’d be surprised if it takes longer than that.

So, in the end, about five weeks. Much faster than my pessimism, but slower than your optimism. Let’s call it even. 😉

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/394 "2024-05-02T13:19:51Z")

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5th body recovered. One still missing. The men are being found inside their construction trucks.

> **[5th victim's body recovered in Baltimore Key Bridge collapse](https://abcnews.go.com/US/5th-victims-body-recovered-baltimore-key-bridge-collapse/story?id=109850412)**
>
> The body of a fifth victim of the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has been recovered.

> **[5th Key Bridge collapse victim recovered, identified after vehicle located -...](https://wtop.com/baltimore/2024/05/5th-key-bridge-collapse-victim-recovered-identified-after-vehicle-located/)**
>
> Officials with the Unified Command team working on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore have recovered and identified a fifth roadwork crew member who died in the collapse in March.

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**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/395 "2024-05-02T13:43:08Z")

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Kinda gives you an idea of the scale of this thing when there are still entire trucks missing after more than a month.

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/396 "2024-05-06T17:37:01Z")

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They have gotten to the bridge sections on the bow of the ship. I was wondering how they were going to do this because once they start it’s all going to shift. They’re making relief cuts and are going to do a controlled series of explosive cuts in one shot.

[Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2rToCpwAhc)

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**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/397 "2024-05-08T01:34:22Z")

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And the final missing victim has been recovered.

> **[Sixth victim's body recovered at Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse site](https://www.wbaltv.com/article/sixth-victim-recovered-key-bridge-collapse-baltimore/60722459)**
>
> Officials said Unified Command salvage teams recovered the body of a sixth victim of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Tuesday.

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2024, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/398 "2024-05-11T02:19:37Z")

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They were planning on blowing the bridge 11-May but have been delayed due to weather. So it’s getting close.

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**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/399 "2024-05-13T23:16:34Z")

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The planned demolition happened this evening.

> **[WATCH: Baltimore Key Bridge explosion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRIiPbhkPQI?x=1)**
>
> Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday evening to break down the largest remaining steel span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore,...

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**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2024, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-collapse-in-baltimore-2024-03-26/999372/400 "2024-05-14T01:42:32Z")

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Does the company get their ship back now? There must be thousands of people refreshing their package tracking page and saying “Baltimore, still?”

Now that I think about it, while everyone has been working on the bridge, has anyone been working on the ship? Seems like they could have used this time to figure out, and fix, whatever caused it to hit the bridge in the first place.

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