Fort McHenry limited access channel reopens for commercial vessel traffic

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Following Monday’s controlled explosions to remove the tangled mass of collapsed bridge on top of the Dali, the US Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) has reopened to commercial vessel traffic the Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel in Baltimore, to a depth of 48ft.

The reopened channel will operate daily from 08:00 to 18:00 local time, featuring a controlling depth of 48ft, a 350ft horizontal clearance, and a 214ft vertical clearance due to nearby BG&E powerlines.

As salvage operations continue, the COTP said that survey analyses may allow for increased depth and width. Vessel transits will stay under the discretion of the COTP, subject to prevailing weather conditions and ongoing salvage operations.

Deep draft vessels using the channel will require the assistance of a Maryland State Pilot and two escort tugs. The Maryland Pilots have set a 3f under-keel clearance (UKC) requirement for all vessels. Transits will only be allowed when winds (including gusts) are under 15 knots. There are no beam restrictions for Ro-Ros, Con-Ros, or cruise ships, but container ships, freight ships, tankers, and bulk carriers will be restricted to vessels with a maximum beam of 106ft.

All transits are being restricted to a maximum of 5 knots until the Dali is refloated, at which point the maximum speed will be 10 knots.

The Fort Carroll Temporary Access Channel and the Sollers Point and Hawkins Point Temporary Alternate Channels remain open for commercial vessel traffic. These have varying (but universally smaller) controlling depths, horizontal clearances, and vertical clearances.