The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies were
responding to a tug fire near Pea Patch Island on the Delaware River, Tuesday
18 Feb ’25.All four crewmembers were safely evacuated from the vessel. The
tug 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.
According to the Wilmington (Del.) Fire Department, Fireboat
7, with crews from Engine 1 and Engine 2, assisted the Good Will Fire
Company with the tugboat 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.