CGNATHAN BRUCKENTHAL

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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