DUNDALK, Md. — Alex Del Sordo got the call early Tuesday.

Del Sordo, owner of the Anchor Bay East Marina in Dundalk, heard an employee’s voice on the other end of the line: “You’ve got to get down here.”

The worker, who lives on a houseboat at the marina, was awakened by a roar that sounded like a “rumbling train ripping through town.” It turned out to be the sound of the nearby Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsing into the Patapsco River, just seconds after it was struck by a cargo ship.

Del Sordo was at the marina by 5 a.m., and that’s where he would stay for the rest of the day, as Baltimore County firefighters, divers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers workers and other first responders cycled in and out.

By water, Anchor Bay East is just about a mile from the collapsed bridge, now the site of extensive salvage and cleanup efforts. Normally a hub for pleasure boaters grabbing crabs or a crush at the on-site Hard Yacht Cafe, the 55-slip marina has in recent days become a headquarters of sorts for some of those spending hours on the water by the bridge, diving, scanning with sonar and planning for the massive undertaking to come.

Del Sordo, who took over the marina from founders Art and Tina Cox less than two weeks ago, adjusted services to meet the first responders’ needs. The marina’s fuel dock is now open and staffed with attendants 24/7, and the cafe is open for warmth and coffee from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with food service starting at 6:30 a.m. The marina’s bathrooms and showers are open to first responders, too.

A truckful of snacks, donated by the North Point-Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department, is on hand when divers, firefighters and others get hungry. The cafe also discounted meals by 50% for first responders, who have lately been able to eat for free thanks to the generosity of local businesses and customers, who donated money to the marina to cover the remaining cost of the food.

Del Sordo said he’s raised about $8,000 so far to support the emergency crews. With months of work ahead, he said he plans to offer extended hours, shelter and half-priced meals to first responders “indefinitely.”

Wednesday afternoon, a Coast Guard cutter pulled up to refuel. Earlier that day, the marina’s mechanics raced to fix a Baltimore County fire boat with a broken propeller. The vessel was back on the water in less than three hours.

“It was like a NASCAR pit crew,” Del Sordo said.

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