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Water Taxi Accident

Photographs, Videos, & Letters

 
Water Taxi Survivors

A sudden storm slammed into the Inner Harbor, and capsized a  Water Taxi with 25 people aboard. Two people died in the tragedy, and three were lost to the sea.  Twenty survivors are seen clinging to the overturned vessel in the middle of the shipping channel.  Once the survivors were rescued, the dive team embarked on a massive ten day mission to find the three missing passengers. The operation was successful, and the bodies of all the victims were recovered, and returned to their love ones. The accident occurred within one mile of Fort McHenry.
Divers At The Water Taxi Accident

The marker bags point to the direction leading down to to the submarine.  The divers descended to the top of submarine via an umbilical supply line.  Once on top of the submarine, they traveled to the front, where they tethered to a crossbar and jumped off.  Once they reached channel's bottom, they were monitored by sonar.  Because of the total blackness, the sonars from the ship and the submarine were used to direct divers to targets via hardline communications
Hyde, Bildstein, Yingling

This photo was taken for the Baltimore Magazine year end issue, for the Water Taxi Accident.  The guys did a fantastic job under extreme conditions.  Those were ten days of horrific and heroic incidents, but they were able to maintain their focus and complete the mission.  All thanks to the Tyco Submarine, Marine Sonic ROV, and the Gamber VFD - K9 Team for their assistance.

 
Burrell

This photo was taken for the March 17 Issue of the Baltimore Sun Newspaper for the Water Taxi Accident.  He is preparing himself to be decontaminated after one of his dives.  Obstacles were aplenty, but the team persevered, and succeeded in obtaining the objective.  All thanks go to the SRO Team, Paramedics, and the 414 Wagon for their assistance.
Yingling

This photo was taken for the March 18 issue of the Baltimore Sun Newspaper for the Water Taxi Accident.  He is in the initial decontamination process.  His suit must be thoroughly cleaned of all hazardous contaminants.  All thanks go out to Fire Supply, Critical Stress Team, and all agencies and personnel who helped achieve the operation's objectives.

Divers, SRO, & Emergency Rescue Boat

During the Water Taxi Accident, a diver jumps off a Fire Department Emergency Rescue Boat, while Special Rescue Operation team members stand by in the zodiac for retrieval.

Hyde

Hyde had just finished his decontamination procedures after one of his dives during the Water Taxi Accident. He is being assisted with his rehabilitation and stand down, in an area next to the quarters of Fire Boat #1

Bildstein & King

Bildstein is about to go to the rehabilitation area once he is decontaminated.  The water temperature was in the mid 30's, so he will have to raise his body temperature up to a acceptable level.  King is assisting Bildstein with the procedures as well as his stand down.
Burrell

Burrell is being assisted to the rehabilitation area after one of his dives during the Water Taxi Accident.  He is being assisted by paramedics who will begin trying to stabilize his core body temperature.
William Goodwin & Martin O'Malley

Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Goodwin and Baltimore City Mayor O'Malley discuss the progress of the operation with the press corps during the Water Taxi Accident.

 
Water Taxi Accident

Divers are switching Police Marine Vessels during the Water Taxi Accident.  During the tens day mission, divers utilized several Police and Fire Department vessels, as well as Ships and zodiacs.

 
Water Taxi Accident Platform

The Tyco Ship, Fire Boat, and emergency rescue vessels at the Water Taxi Accident.  The divers are on a small zodiac next to Tyco ship.  Some days the environment was so uncooperative that the Tyco Ship had to stage in a manner to block the wind and, tether the other vessels to form a stable area for the divers to operate in.

 
Congratulations After Successful Mission

Green,  Lago and the Submarine operator exchange thanks upon the successful completion of the ten day mission. 

Burrell, Green, Lago, O'Malley

Mayor O'Malley congratulating team members after the long and tedious operation.  The team was physically and mentally drained, but they were satisfied that all the objectives of the mission were accomplished.

 
Water Taxi Accident Press Conference

Chief Goodwin and Mayor O'Malley lead a press conference upon the conclusion of the ten day Water Taxi Accident Operation

 
James Earl Jones - Actor

Distinguished actor James Earl Jones came to Baltimore to congratulate the team for a job well done concerning the Water Taxi Operation.  He presented the team with a plaque during the Red Cross's Hometown Heroes Banquet.

 
Vonberger, King, Green

Dive Team Members attending the Day Of Remembrance for the victims of the Water Taxi Accident.

 
Water Taxi Accident Participants

Water Taxi Accident participants are honored during the Baltimore City Fire Department's Medals Day.  The awards were presented to the team by John Travolta, and the crew from the "Ladder 49" movie.

 
Gamber Volunteer Fire Department K-9 Unit

The Gamber Volunteer Fire Department K-9 Team attending the Day Of Remembrance for the victims of the Water Taxi Accident.  The team was quite instrumental in helping confirm the area where the victims were located.

 
Vonberger, Hayes, Hall & Deems

Dive Team Members attending the Day Of Remembrance for the victims of the Water Taxi Accident.

 

 

Lago

Video #1- Lago addressing the press corps after the Water Taxi Accident Operation.

"Click On Picture"

 

Additional Videos Below

 

Dear Fire Chief Wm. Goodwin, Jr., & All Baltimore City Firefighters:

I followed the events of the recent water taxi tragedy as they unfolded. Chief, you and all the involved personnel certainly gave it your all under less than favorable conditions, to say the least.

I was employed as Commander of the Imperial County Sheriff's Underwater Recovery Team (ICSURT) and the Sheriff's Boating Safety and Enforcement Unit for many years. I was responsible for 63 miles of the Colorado River, the Salton Sea (475 sq. miles) a number of small boating/fishing lakes, 3,000 miles of canals, and one of the most polluted rivers on the US continent (the New River) that flows into the US from Mexico. We dove in extreme currents with 0-6" visibility, and dove Haz-Mat conditions (using Viking dress, DSI Superlight helmets, etc.). During my career I personally recovered 100s of bodies. I was forced into medical retirement due to a life threatening respiratory condition as a result of a chemical exposure, leaving me 100% disabled. I give you this background so that you know I can personally relate to your experiences.

I sincerely commend each and every one of you, and say THANK YOU, for giving your all in bringing resolution to this tragic incident. You didn't give up. You all battled through miserable adverse conditions. Under experienced and dedicated leadership, with support personnel (who divers trust their lives to), divers again and again and again went into those miserable underwater conditions blindly feeling your way, with the utmost determination for successful recoveries. Not because it's a job and someone would expect it from you, but because it is who you, are and not just as professionals, but as individuals who deeply and sincerely care about others, after all, that is why you are Maryland City Firefighters.

I know, from my years of experience working closely with 100s of families who lost loved ones in water related incidents, that all of you have brought a closure to each and every victim's family, and their loved ones that words cannot describe. Each and every one of you is truly remarkable beyond description.

May God Bless each and every one of you and your families, and pray you all remain safe and go home at the end of shift.

Respectfully yours,
Tony L. Rouhotas, Sr.
Congratulations to Mayor O'Malley and Chief Goodwin ...

for your support, direction and leadership for all involved during such trying times. I would like to extend my warmest regards to everyone who functioned endlessly and tirelessly during the 10 days of deployment during the Ft. Mc Henry water search and recovery efforts.  The depth of multiple agencies working simultaneously to achieve a positive outcome to a negative event was very impressive.  Each team, from search dogs to the newest state of art equipment and staff, complimented the available resources of the Baltimore City Fire Department and brought home the missing, closure to the families of the missing and resolve to DIVE TEAM MEMBERS. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mayor O'Malley and Chief Goodwin for including K9 Search Teams during the recovery operations. Is a copy of their report required for inclusion in Operations Documentation?  

Anne E. Rehfeld
K9 Team Support Michael & Boomer (K9-13)  
Gamber Fire Department
Carroll County, MD

 
 

Dear Members of the Baltimore City Fire Department:

While following the story of the water taxi tragedy, I was quite moved by the tenacity and dedication shown by the members of your department. Though I do not know anyone involved with the incident, I find it very honorable that you continued the difficult recovery process to help bring closure to the victims' families.

And though it shouldn't take a tragedy with a lot of media coverage to draw attention to your hard work and dedication, I want to thank you for being such outstanding role models. My students need more "real world" heroes like you!

Thank you, not just to the members involved with the above incident, but to all of you that make a difference everyday!!!

Sincerely,                                                                              Bart Stump                                                                   Dallastown Area Middle School, Dallastown, PA


 
 

 

To All Members of the Baltimore City Fire Department:

This is to thank the men and women of the Baltimore City Fire Department for your dedication, professionalism and sensitivity. Though I am a resident of Baltimore County I realize that being a humanitarian has no geographical boundaries. For all your department did during the most recent tragedy of the water taxi, for all the times you put your lives on the line and come to the aid of the citizens of Baltimore City, I thank you. That budgetary constraints are now being considered after this phenomenal demonstration of dedication is not only ironical but tragic.

Again, thank you.                                                 Sincerely,                                                                        Eileen Leaman