BALTIMORE -- Unified Command crews responding to the cleanup effort at the Key Bridge collapse site are working to clear paths to get ships past the mangled wreckage to the Port of Baltimore.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News, U.S. Coast Guard Captain David O'Connell, the federal on-scene coordinator for the unified response to the bridge collapse, said two auxiliary channels are planned to open Monday: one along the northeast section of the channel, and one running along the south.
The north side would be able to accommodate boats requiring 10 feet of water or less to operate, while the south side will accommodate boats requiring up to 14 feet. There's pre-existing debris along the south side of the channel that USCG is working to remove.
"We're working with salvage to pull that out of the water tomorrow," O'Connell said.
The two temporary channels will mainly be for response vessels, commercially essential vehicles and those participating in salvage efforts.
A deeper third channel is in the works that would require up to 25 feet of depth to operate, but more debris surrounding the striking ship, the Dali, needs to be removed.
"I am looking forward to seeing smaller draft commercial vessels, such as small tugs, in the upcoming days," O'Connell mentioned. "These vessels will have a draft of 13 to 14 feet, which is a positive step forward. However, we hope to progress to phase three, where we aim to accommodate vessels with a draft of 20 to 25 feet, allowing for more commercial traffic."
Over the weekend, a 200-ton section of the bridge was successfully extracted from the crash site as cleanup efforts continued after the bridge collapse caused by a cargo ship collision last week.
"This milestone signifies the initial progress towards reopening the port of Baltimore," O'Connell stated. "By establishing this alternative route, we will facilitate the movement of marine vessels into Baltimore."
This initiative is part of a phased strategy to restore access to the main channel, as outlined by the office of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
The channel will be designated with government-lighted navigation aids and will offer a controlling depth of 11 feet, a horizontal clearance of 264 feet, and a vertical clearance of 96 feet.
Currently, a safety zone spanning 2,000 yards around the Francis Scott Key Bridge remains in place to safeguard personnel, vessels, and the marine ecosystem. Entry into this zone is prohibited without authorization from the COTP or an assigned representative, according to the mayor's office.
In addition, a survey is being conducted to assess the ground conditions around the Dali area, aiding in the development of a removal strategy.
The Unified Command consists of various agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Transportation Authority, Maryland State Police, and business consultant Witt O'Brien's, representing Synergy Marine, the Singapore company that managed the striking ship.
The cleanup effort at the wreckage site of the Key Bridge will be a continuous operation until the Port of Baltimore is reopened, as confirmed by the governor's office to WJZ.
Gov. Wes Moore expressed that the endeavor ahead is expected to be lengthy and challenging.
"Although it's a highly intricate operation, progress is being made," Moore stated during an interview on "CNN Sunday Morning."
Moore mentioned that due to adverse weather conditions and the presence of debris, divers have not been able to resume their search for the missing construction workers.
During the incident, eight workers were repairing potholes on the bridge when the cargo ship collided with it at approximately 1:30 a.m. last Tuesday. While two workers were saved, the bodies of two others were retrieved from a submerged pickup truck, and four individuals are still unaccounted for and presumed deceased.
"My primary focus is on ensuring that the affected families receive the support and closure they require, that our first responders are adequately assisted, that the necessary channels are reopened, and that the Key Bridge is reconstructed," Moore emphasized.
On the CBS News broadcast "Face the Nation" Sunday, Scott said he plans to meet with labor leaders and workers at the Port of Baltimore on Monday to discuss ways to support them while traffic in and out of the port is closed.
"To talk about what kind of other supports that they need while we all wrap our heads around and figure out how we can support them and keep as much commerce flowing as possible," Scott said. "This is going to be a long road. This is not going to be a sprint."
Meanwhile, cruisegoers, including Zach Ocanas, are back in Maryland.
Ocanas left on a carnival cruise a week ago. With the channel closed, his ship had to dock in Norfolk Sunday morning, and passengers took a four-hour bus trip back to Baltimore.
Ocanas caught a ride with a family member who lives locally.
"We were like super on time, Ocanas said. "And they had like buses like waiting outside, like there was just a massive bus ready. All the Carnival staff was like ready to go and they had local police ready to go to kind of guide us to the buses and everything."
If you find debris, call the hotline at 410-205-6625.
