Baltimore, MD - Apr. 2, 2024  - The Captain of the Port (COTP) established a second temporary alternate channel on the southwest side of the main channel near Hawkins Point in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge for commercially essential vessels.

This action is part of a phased approach to opening the main channel. The second temporary channel is marked with government lighted aids to navigation and will be limited to transit at the discretion of the COTP and during daylight hours only. It has a controlling depth of 14 feet, a 280-foot horizontal clearance, and a vertical clearance of 124 feet.


“The opening of these two alternate channels and transit of critical response resources, as well as the first commercial traffic movements through the area, is a significant milestone in our response efforts,” said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Baxter Smoak, operations section chief of the Key Bridge Response 2024. “Our number one priority remains the opening of the deep draft channel. We are simultaneously focused on opening additional routes of increased capacity as we move forward.”

The current 2,000-yard safety zone around the Francis Scott Key Bridge remains in effect and is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Members of the public may not enter the safety zone unless authorized by the COTP or designated representative. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or designated representative.

U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Baltimore works together to load buoy channel markers on a small-boat in the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, April 2, 2024. ANT crews use these buoys to mark the new temporary alternate channel for commercially essential vessels during the Key Bridge Response. (Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command photo by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Carmen Caver)

U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Baltimore  Navigation Team pulls chains connected to buoy channel markers while onloading buoys at a boat ramp in Baltimore, Maryland, April 2, 2024. ANT crews use these buoys to mark the new temporary alternate channel for commercially essential vessels during the Key Bridge Response. (Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command photo by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Carmen Caver)

U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) Baltimore drops buoy channel markers in the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, April 2, 2024. ANT crews use these buoys to mark the new temporary alternate channel for commercially essential vessels during the Key Bridge Response. (Key Bridge Response 2024 Unified Command photo by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Carmen Caver)