Tugboat Sinks in Curtis Creek; Fireboats Respond

Baltimore's Curtis Creek was the scene of a tugboat incident on Wednesday morning when the 'Tug Gale' began to submerge after colliding with an unidentified object.

The Baltimore City Fire Department's Marine Operations received an urgent MAYDAY call via VHF radio, prompting immediate action. Fire Rescue Boat 1 and Marine 1 were dispatched to the location to assist the vessel.

All crew members aboard the Tug Gale were successfully rescued by a nearby civilian boat, with no injuries reported. The tugboat was carrying approximately 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 200 gallons of oil, but officials indicated that there was no sign of leakage into the waterway.

In response to the situation, containment booms are being deployed as a precautionary measure to safeguard the environment. The Maryland Department of the Environment's Emergency Response Division is also on-site to aid in the ongoing operations.

Plans for salvage operations are currently in progress, which will involve cranes to right the tugboat and divers to assess the submerged sections of the vessel. Authorities are actively monitoring the situation to ensure safety and environmental protection.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WJLA (source).