62,000-Ton Cargo Ship Breaks Free In Port Of Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD — A 62,000-ton military cargo ship broke free of its mooring Monday at the Port of Baltimore, authorities said.

The Baltimore City Fireboat Station responded to a distress call from the 950-foot USNS Charlton, which was docked at the North Locust Point Marine Terminal.

Commercial tugboats also responded to the scene, according to a social media post from the fireboat station, posted around 3:30 p.m. Monday.

The ship was under control by later that afternoon, Mike Reagoso of McAllister Towing confirmed to The Baltimore Banner, which reported all crew members were accounted for.

The ship and another, the USNS Pomery, were berthed in the area while being transferred to the Maritime Administration, a situation that has drawn complaints from neighbors about noise and fumes from the ships’ diesel generators, the Banner reported.

The area was under a gale warning Monday night, according to the Banner, which noted heavy winds were blowing in the neighborhood.