AUGUST 5, 2016--On the Maryland side of the Potomac River just east of Washington D.C. and west of Chesapeake Bay, the largest shipwreck fleet in the Western Hemisphere sits half-sunk and decomposing.

After World War I, hundreds of U.S. vessels were sent to Mallows Bay to be scrapped – and to this day the remains of dozens can still be seen in the shallow water.

The nomination to have Mallows bay designated as the first National Marine Sanctuary in 20 years was announced by President Obama in 2015. The community partners and NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries are presently working on the necessary documents to have the Sanctuary formally designated in April 2017 to coincide with the commemoration of the entry of the U.S. into World War I.

On July 19, 2016, The U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector Baltimore North Capitol Region hosted a kayak tour of Mallows Bay in anticipation of its Sanctuary designation. Dr. Susan Langley, the State of Maryland’s Historical Preservation Officer led the tour.

The primary purpose of the event was so that the Coast Guard and NOAA could see first-hand how sensitive this environment is and what concerns there would be if an oil spill occurred in the area and threatened the site. For example, how and where would booms be deployed, where is there access to this site, where could a staging area be established, what would be the response priorities, and how would wildlife be protected?

Staff from NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries and Frank Csulak, from the Office of Response and Restoration, accompanied the Coast Guard and Dr. Langley on the tour.

For additional information, contact Frank.Csulak@noaa.gov.

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