Potomac River Plane Crash: Jones Act Dredging Fleets Mobilized
By the Dredging Contractors of America.
Private sector Jones Act dredging, marine construction and tug/barge operators are all hands-on deck for recovery, evidence collection and debris removal from the crash site on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
William Doyle, CEO of the Dredging Contractors of America said, “Our hearts are filled with sorrow for the families who lost loves ones in the midair collision Wednesday night between a regional American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. — we pray for the families, God Bless.”
This will be a multi-mission federal, state and local and private sector recovery and debris removal operation. Donjon Marine Co., Inc. (DJM), tasked by the US Navy, is the private sector salvage manager and expert onsite. DJM mobilizing assets — deck and crane barges, tugs and associated afloat equipment are enroute to the theater. DJM spearheaded salvage operations for the Francis Scott Key Bridge recovery and wreckage removal operations last year, and the re-floating of the grounded Evergreen Ever Forward on the Chesapeake Bay in 2022.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the US Army Corps of Engineers immediately sprang to action with afloat assets for the search and rescue, recovery and wreckage removal operations.
The USCG and the U.S. Naval Institute News confirmed the deployment of multiple units to the crash site. These units are working alongside local authorities to conduct search operations, ensure safety, and prevent tampering with the crash site. Some of the deployed assets include:
Response boat crews from stations in Washington, Curtis Bay (Baltimore), Annapolis, St. Inigoes, Oxford, and Crisfield —
Coast Guard patrol boat USGC Sailfish (WPB-87356)
Fast response cutter USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal (WPC-1128)
Inland construction tender USCGC Kennebec (WLIC-802)
Providing two debris vessels, known as BD-5 and BD-6, to assist with removing ice at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling to support recovery efforts, and collecting debris on the river at the direction of the US Coast Guard.
USACE is also providing hydrographic surveying via the BUCK, a 26-foot survey vessel equipped with single and multi-beam sonars, that actively supports the Baltimore District’s Navigation Branch.
Saturday, February 1, 2025, begins a flotilla of private sector tugs, barges and vessels transiting up the Potomac River to assist in the recovery operations at the crash site.
Don Jon Marine is on contract with then US Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for marine salvage, wreck removal, ocean and inshore towage, emergency pickups, marine transportation, dredging, debris disposal and related salvage services anywhere in most of the US.
This piece was originally posted on LinkedIn on February 1.
By the Dredging Contractors of America.
Private sector Jones Act dredging, marine construction and tug/barge operators are all hands-on deck for recovery, evidence collection and debris removal from the crash site on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
William Doyle, CEO of the Dredging Contractors of America said, “Our hearts are filled with sorrow for the families who lost loves ones in the midair collision Wednesday night between a regional American Airlines passenger jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. — we pray for the families, God Bless.”
This will be a multi-mission federal, state and local and private sector recovery and debris removal operation. Donjon Marine Co., Inc. (DJM), tasked by the US Navy, is the private sector salvage manager and expert onsite. DJM mobilizing assets — deck and crane barges, tugs and associated afloat equipment are enroute to the theater. DJM spearheaded salvage operations for the Francis Scott Key Bridge recovery and wreckage removal operations last year, and the re-floating of the grounded Evergreen Ever Forward on the Chesapeake Bay in 2022.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the US Army Corps of Engineers immediately sprang to action with afloat assets for the search and rescue, recovery and wreckage removal operations.
The USCG and the U.S. Naval Institute News confirmed the deployment of multiple units to the crash site. These units are working alongside local authorities to conduct search operations, ensure safety, and prevent tampering with the crash site. Some of the deployed assets include:
Response boat crews from stations in Washington, Curtis Bay (Baltimore), Annapolis, St. Inigoes, Oxford, and Crisfield —
Coast Guard patrol boat USGC Sailfish (WPB-87356)
Fast response cutter USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal (WPC-1128)
Inland construction tender USCGC Kennebec (WLIC-802)
Buoy tender USCGC Frank Drew (WLM-557)
Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has activated its Emergency Operations Center, clearing the way for response and recovery support with assets including—
Providing two debris vessels, known as BD-5 and BD-6, to assist with removing ice at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling to support recovery efforts, and collecting debris on the river at the direction of the US Coast Guard.
USACE is also providing hydrographic surveying via the BUCK, a 26-foot survey vessel equipped with single and multi-beam sonars, that actively supports the Baltimore District’s Navigation Branch.
Saturday, February 1, 2025, begins a flotilla of private sector tugs, barges and vessels transiting up the Potomac River to assist in the recovery operations at the crash site.
Don Jon Marine is on contract with then US Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for marine salvage, wreck removal, ocean and inshore towage, emergency pickups, marine transportation, dredging, debris disposal and related salvage services anywhere in most of the US.