The tugboat Gale sank in Curtis Creek, Baltimore, on Wednesday morning after striking an unidentified submerged object. Baltimore City Fire Department Marine Operations responded to a mayday call on VHF radio, dispatching Fire Rescue Boat 1 and Marine 1 to the scene. All crew members were safely rescued by a good Samaritan vessel, with no injuries reported.

The vessel is carrying 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 200 gallons of oil, raising environmental concerns for the waterway. Officials report no evidence of leakage at this time, and containment booms have been deployed as a precautionary measure. The Maryland Department of the Environment is monitoring the situation.

Salvage operations are now underway, with plans to deploy cranes to right the vessel and divers to inspect its submerged hull.