In a multimedia press release from the United Command The Captain of the Port established the Fort Carroll Temporary Alternate Channel, which is on the northeast side of the main channel in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and will provide limited access for commercially essential vessels.

Maryland Governor Moore explained in a press conference “Temporary channels are for commercially essential vessels.  Vessel access is at the discretion of the Captain of the Port and during daylight hours only.  When enough wreckage is cleared, a limited deep draft traffic channel will be established.  The limited access channel will facilitate up to 75% of pre-collapse commercial activity through the waterway.”

This action is part of a phased approach to opening the main channel. The third temporary channel is marked with government-lighted aids to navigation and will be limited to transit at the discretion of the COTP. It has a controlling depth of 20 feet, a 300-foot horizontal clearance, and a vertical clearance of 135 feet.

“This additional channel increases the types of vessels able to transit inbound and outbound the port of Baltimore,” said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. David O’Connell, Captain of the Port and Federal On-Scene Coordinator, Key Bridge Response 2024. “We estimate facilitating approximately 15 percent of pre-collapse commercial activity.”

“Everyday, members of the Key Bridge Response Unified Command are working tirelessly to complete the steps necessary to support full access to the Fort McHenry channel,” said O’Connell.  “The opening of this third channel represents continuous progress towards this overarching objective.”

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