​This information is preliminary and subject to change.

Release Date 23 September 2025​​​

On August 18, 2025, about 1830 local time (eastern daylight time), an explosion occurred aboard the 751.3-foot Liberian-flagged bulk cargo vessel W-Sapphire while transiting outbound on the Patapsco River in the vicinity of Sparrows Point, Maryland. The vessel was carrying a cargo of coal. There were 23 crew and 2 pilots on board. Following the explosion, the W-Sapphire transited under its own power, with tugs on standby, and anchored approximately 2.5 miles north of the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge (the "Chesapeake Bay Bridge") off Sandy Point State Park in Maryland. The explosion resulted in part of the #2 cargo hold hatch falling into the Patapsco River. The hatch was recovered 10 days later, on August 28. There was no pollution, and no injuries were reported. The US Coast Guard has declared this incident a major marine casualty. The Coast Guard will lead the investigation, and the NTSB will investigate and determine the probable cause.​