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Press Release | Feb. 1, 2025

Update 2: Coast Guard, multiple partner agencies, responding to plane crash in Potomac River

Washington — The U.S. Coast Guard continues to support local, city, state and federal partners Saturday in response to the aircraft collision that occurred Wednesday evening over the Potomac River in Washington. 

The Coast Guard’s primary missions in the response are to ensure the safety of the public and first responders on the water, aid in victim recovery efforts, assist salvage operations and support the National Transportation Safety Board incident investigation. 

Coast Guard units currently deployed to support operations: 

  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Washington response boat crews 
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes response boat crews 
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Annapolis response boat crews 
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Oxford response boat crews
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Crisfield response boat crews
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Philadelphia response boat crews
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Atlantic City response boat crews
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Milford Haven response boat crews
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Watchapreague response boat crews
  • U.S. Coast Guard Station Barneget Light response boat crews
  • The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kennebec, a 160-foot inland construction tender 
  • The crew of the U.S Coast Guard Cutter Frank Drew, a 175-foot keeper-class coastal buoy tender 
  • The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, a 87-foot Marine Protector class cutter 
  • The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal, a 154-foot Sentinel-class fast response cutter 
  • Responders from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland - National Capital Region and assisting commands from across the country. 

A safety zone has been established, restricting vessel traffic in all navigable waters north of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Mariners are urged to avoid the area. 

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland – National Capital Region’s primary missions are maritime safety, security and environmental protection for the National Capital Region and the upper Chesapeake Bay. The sector's personnel often work closely with partners in the area during a wide range of operations including the most recent National Special Security Events in the capital. 

For information on recovery operations, contact incident.pio@dc.gov