Coast Guard updates safety zones and draft restrictions following W-Sapphire incident

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/19/2025 07:45 PM EDT

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News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard East District
Contact: East District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 295-8435
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Coast Guard updates safety zones and draft restrictions following W-Sapphire incident
08/19/2025 07:04 PM EDT

BALTIMORE – The Coast Guard continues its response to the W-Sapphire incident in the Chesapeake Bay Tuesday, with updated measures in place to ensure the safety of personnel, vessels, and the marine environment.
The safety zone for all navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay within a 2000-yard radius of a hatch cover with an estimated position of 39.20692 N 76.51733 W has been discontinued. The safety zone for all navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay within a 500-yard radius of the vessel W-SAPPHIRE anchored in position 39.02333 N 76.36833 W, Figure 01, remains in effect. A draft restriction of a maximum navigational draft of 46.6-feet for all vessels transiting within a 500-yards radius of the location of the hatch cover in position of 39.20865 N 076.52017 W, Figure 02, has been established due to it’s depth of 49.7-feet at MLL. An intermittent safety zone for all navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay within a 500-yard radius of the location ofthe hatch cover from the vessel W-SAPPHIRE in position of 39.20865 N 076.52017 W, Figure 02, will be activated during dive and salvage operations. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy asset)

 

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