A fire broke out aboard a tugboat on the Delaware River on Tuesday, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency personnel.
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 71’x27’ tugboat Thor stating the vessel was on fire near Pea Patch Island. The tug was reportedly pushing a two-barge tow when the fire started.
Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notice to mariners and dispatched Coast Guard crews to the area.
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay launched crews from Station Philadelphia and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City to assist.
Local partner agencies including Wilmington Fire Department and the Good Will Fire Company in New Castle, Del. also deployed assets in response.
All four crewmembers were safely evacuated from the vessel by good Samaritans. Photos shared by the Coast Guard show the Vane Brothers Co. tug Wye River assisting response efforts.
The fire was extinguished, and the vessel was taken under tow, according to local reports.
Local media reported that the blaze began in the tug's engine room, but the Coast Guard said it is still investigating the cause of the fire.
Built in 1972 by Main Iron Works, Houma, La., Thor is currently owned by Albemarle Tug Company, based in Moyock, N.C.
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