On Saturday, November 9, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognized an 18-mile stretch of Maryland’s Potomac River as the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. In attendance was Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, and senior NOAA and U.S. Department of Commerce officials. The sanctuary’s formal designation took place on September 3, 2019. This is the first such designation since 2000.  The national marine sanctuary protects remnants of 118 World War I-era wooden steamships and vessels dubbed the “Ghost Fleet.” 

More information can be found on the sanctuary’s website.