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Press Release | Feb. 18, 2025

Coast Guard, partner agencies responding to boat fire on Delaware River 

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PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding to a tugboat fire near Pea Patch Island on the Delaware River, Tuesday.

All four crewmembers were safely evacuated from the vessel by good Samaritans. The fire has since been extinguished, and the vessel is now under tow.

Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay launched crews from Station Philadelphia and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City to assist.

At 9:26 a.m., watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a distress call on VHF Channel 16 from the crew of the tugboat stating the vessel was on fire.

Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notice to mariners and dispatched Coast Guard crews to the area.

Local partner agencies also deployed assets in response.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

- USCG -

Coast Guard Delaware Bay Sector Delaware Bay Boat Fire Tug

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