CG FRANK DREW

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Coast Guard Cutters responding to aircraft collision over Potomac River

The US Coast Guard was coordinating with local, state and federal agencies in response to an aircraft collision which occurred on the evening of Jan 29, 2025, over the Potomac River in Washington, killing all 67 people aboard the involved helicopter and plane. Coast Guard Sector Maryland - National Capital Region command center watchstanders received a report at approximately 8:55 p.m. reporting a helicopter and a commercial passenger aircraft collided in the vicinity of Ronald Reagan Airport. Response boat crews from the Coast Guard stations Washington, Curtis Bay, Annapolis, St. Inigoes, Oxford and Crisfield have deployed to the incident to conduct searches in coordination with local partners and enforce a safety zone. The cutters 'Sailfish', 'Bruckenthal', 'Kennebec' and 'Frank Drew' were sent to assist. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued regarding the incident and a safety zone has been established, securing all vessel traffic from the Woodrow Willson Bridge heading north along the Potomac River. Mariners are urged to avoid the area. Coast Guard pollution crews have mobilized and are pre-staged to respond to any pollution caused by the incident. The Coast Guard was working with the Army Corps of Engineers and Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving to coordinate removing the wreckage and restoring the waterways once able to do so. On Jan 30, response boat crews from Coast Guard Stations Washington, Curtis Bay, Annapolis, Oxford, Crisfield and the 'Sailfish' were on scene, working with local partners to ensure the safety of the maritime public and responders and enforcing a safety zone. Additional Coast Guard crews have mobilized to pre-stage pollution response equipment to mitigate potential environmental impacts from the incident. 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. Reports with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4048888/update-1-coast-guard-multiple-partner-agencies-responding-to-plane-crash-in-pot/ https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b

CG FRANK DREW 9177258

A U.S. Coast Guardsmen from an elite Staten Island unit did not survive a fall into Virginia waters during a tactical boating exercise on Oct 13, 2010. Crews recovered the body about 5 p.m. The member was transferring from a 25-foot Maritime Security Response Team vessel to the Coast Guard Cutter "Frank Drew" when he went overboard about 9:15 p.m. in the vicinity of the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. The Response Team crew initially attempted a rescue but lost sight of the crewman, who was wearing 60 pounds of gear. The victim was attached to Fort Wadsworth’s Maritime Safety and Security Team, which is in Virginia working with local crews. The search was still considered a rescue effort. The Coast Guard had deployed a number of boats and helicopters to aid in the search. Virginia police and fire departments also assisted.