Cargo ship stuck in Chesapeake Bay: New Coast Guard operation underway to free ship

Published April 8, 2022 2:12PMUpdated 2:45PMNewsAssociated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - With all attempts to free the Ever Forward cargo ship that's stuck in the Chesapeake Bay coming up unsuccessful, officials are changing course.

The Coast Guard launched an operation Friday to remove cargo containers from the ship to lighten it. The first containers will be removed from the ship starting Saturday morning, and they will be returned to Seagirt Marine Terminal in the Port of Baltimore, according to port officials. Coast Guard officials say they are not sure how long the operation will take.

Ever Forward has been a nearly one-month headache for the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port of Baltimore and the Department of the Environment, and is now becoming a concern for the governor, the comptroller and the state’s treasurer. The topic was discussed by Maryland officials during a Board of Public Works meeting earlier this week.

"I remain concerned about the ongoing salvage effort," Franchot, a Democrat running for governor, said. "Each day that goes by increases the potential for a hull breach, (and) disruptions to the critical Port of Baltimore. A hull breach can result in ecological, reputational and economic risks to Maryland."

The ship has been the subject of local curiosity and nationwide conversation.

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