The Charles-L-Gilliland: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On July 13, 2026, at approximately 11 a.m., two rescue boats belonging to the USNS 'Charles Gilliland-AKR 298' were engulfed in flames at the port of Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore City Fire Department swiftly responded to reports of a fire in the vicinity of the 2000 block of S. Clinton Street. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find the vessels fully ablaze, prompting the activation of a second alarm for additional support. The incident resulted in significant smoke production, alarming nearby residents and authorities. Thanks to the ship's onboard fire suppression systems and the immediate response from the fire brigade, the flames were successfully extinguished. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. The investigation into the cause of this alarming fire is currently ongoing. For more details and a photo from the scene, visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18neNWKJdk/