Kaili Thorne: A container ship named ‘Ever Forward’ has been stuck in the Chesapeake Bay for 18 days

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Tugboats pull on the Ever Forward near Pasadena, Md., on Tuesday, trying to free the ship as it sits in the Chesapeake Bay after running aground near Baltimore.

There’s something gleeful about a big ship getting stuck. Maybe it’s their massive size, and the often fruitless plight to make them budge.

The Ever Forward had just loaded up with cargo in Baltimore and was heading south to Norfolk, Va., when it ran aground on March 13. The container ship apparently missed a turn leaving Baltimore, causing it to end up in the shallows off Pasadena, Md., where it remains.

That’s right: A 1,095-foot ship called Ever Forward has been lodged there for nearly three weeks.

Efforts to free the ship so far have been unsuccessful. One try, on Tuesday, involved five tugboats: two pushing on the starboard side, two pulling from the port side, and one pulling from the stern. You can watch a long, unmomentous video of this effort below.

The Port of Baltimore’s executive director, William Doyle, says a second attempt will be made in coming days “using two anchored pulling barges from the stern and five tugs.”

1/2 MV Ever Forward grounding- dredging continues today, Sunday March 27, 2022. First refloat attempt will be Tuesday, March 29, 2022 using five tugs; two pushing on starboard side, two pulling from port side, one long pull from stern. pic.twitter.com/FW3y37b4Sk

— William Doyle (@WilliamPDoyle) March 27, 2022