First vessel passes through Baltimore channel

A barge carrying jet fuel was the first vessel to pass through a temporary channel around the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge blocking the Port of Baltimore late Monday.

The temporary 11-ft deep, 264-ft wide channel on the northeast side of the main shipping channel was opened to allow for movement of "commercially essential" vessels, as well as ships involved in the salvage operation. The channel is too shallow to allow for passage of larger ships responsible for much of the cargo movement through Baltimore.

A second temporary channel is being established on the southwest side of the main channel that will be a bit deeper, about 15-16 ft, according to the federal Unified Command.

The jet cargo that left the harbor Monday through the temporary channel was destined to supply Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Salvage operations continue at the site with several crane-mounted barges removing sections of bridge that are being cut away. A 4,000 ton section of bridge still lies on top of the containership Dali, which struck the bridge nearly a week ago, leading to the deadly collapse.

By Stephen Cunningham