BALTIMORE — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released 3D images of the Francis Scott Key Bridge wreckage sitting at the bottom of the Patapsco River on their Facebook Tuesday. The posting marks a week since a cargo ship crashed into the major bridge in Baltimore, resulting in eight workers falling into the cold water -- two of which were saved, two others pronounced dead, and four victims who have yet to be found.
The imagery, which was supplied by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), shows the wreckage resting at the bottom of the river where the bridge once stood. In the social media post, they stated that the images "show the sheer magnitude of the very difficult and challenging salvage operation ahead."
They were able to get the images using a tool called CODA Octopus, an underwater sonar imaging tool, which is a primary survey tool used by divers. According to the Corps of Engineers, commercial and military divers are working in “virtual darkness” comparing conditions to “driving through a heavy snowfall at night with high-beam headlights on.”
No usable underwater video exists of the wreckage, because as one Navy diver stated, “there’s no need take video of something you can’t even see,” which explains the importance of the technology.
3D imagery of Francis Scott Key Bridge
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.