The U.S. Coast Guard Responds to Explosion Aboard Merchant Vessel in Baltimore Harbor

The U.S. Coast Guard and local partners are currently responding to an explosion aboard the 751-foot merchant vessel W-Sapphire in Baltimore Harbor, leading to the closure of the Fort McHenry Federal Channel.

On Monday evening, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Maryland – National Capital Region received a distress call via VHF channel 16 around 6:30 p.m. The vessel reported an explosion onboard, prompting an immediate response from the authorities.

The U.S. Coast Guard has taken the lead in the response efforts and will determine when it is safe to reopen the channel, as well as manage the timing of vessel arrivals and departures in the area.

The W-Sapphire, carrying 23 crew members and 2 pilots, was outbound from Baltimore Harbor and was south of Fort Carroll when the explosion occurred. The vessel was reportedly transporting coal at the time.

The Patapsco River has been closed to all vessel traffic between specific coordinates near Swan Creek and Sparrows Point, extending up to the former location of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Additionally, a 500-yard safety zone has been established around the vessel’s current anchored position.

No injuries have been reported, and the fire resulting from the explosion has been extinguished. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, while plans for the vessel’s next steps are being formulated.

Efforts are underway to locate and retrieve a detached hatch that entered the water during the explosion. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has deployed the vessel Buck equipped with sonar for surveying obstructions in the channel.

Multiple agencies, including Coast Guard response boat crews, Baltimore Fire Department, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, are actively involved in the response efforts. Port officials are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates on the channel’s status as information becomes available.

Verification of safe conditions is required before further Coast Guard investigations can proceed onboard the vessel. The Coast Guard and partner agencies are working diligently to ensure the safety of maritime operations in the area.