An explosion aboard the 751' bulk carrier W-Sapphire in Baltimore Harbor Monday evening prompted an urgent multi-agency emergency response and the establishment of a wide safety perimeter around the site.
The explosion occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. while the Liberian-flagged vessel was outbound from the harbor and south of Fort Carroll. The 81,681-dwt W-Sapphire was carrying coal with 23 crewmembers and two pilots on board at the time of the incident. No injuries have been reported.
The bulker has remained afloat and was being assisted by tugboats, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department, which dispatched the 87' fireboat John R. Frazier to fight the blaze.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the blast and is leading the investigation into the cause. Responders from Coast Guard Sector Maryland – National Capital Region were dispatched after receiving a distress call over VHF Channel 16.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown, but officials said the onboard fire has since been extinguished and efforts are now underway to assess the vessel's condition and determine next steps.
As a precaution, the Coast Guard has established a 2,000-yard safety zone around the site of the explosion, extending from the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge to Brewerton Angle Channel Lighted Buoy 14. Maritime traffic in and out of Baltimore Harbor has been affected, with authorities urging vessels to steer clear of the zone.
As of Tuesday morning, the Fort McHenry Federal Channel remains closed and will not reopen until the Coast Guard determines it is safe, according to the Port of Baltimore.
The W-Sapphire will be moved to a designated anchorage area and held there until cleared by the Coast Guard.
The 2012-built ship is managed by Greek shipowner W Marine Inc., Athens.
In addition to the Baltimore Fire Department and Coast Guard crews from Curtis Bay and Annapolis, the response has involved units from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, and other local port partners.
More updates are expected as the investigation unfolds.
