Fatal Boating Accident at Ocean City Inlet, Ocean City, MD
Ocean City, Md. (June 13, 2011) Ė The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) are investigating a fatal boating accident that occurred June 11 in Ocean City.
A preliminary investigation revealed that at 9:10 a.m., a 16-foot Wellcraft with six people onboard prepared to lift anchor in the area of the South Jetty of the Ocean City Inlet. The anchor line became ensnared within the propeller of the boat motor, causing the engine to fail. The boat began to sink and ultimately flipped, sending all of the passengers overboard.
US Coast Guard responders rescued 5 of the 6 victims. The body of a 52-year-old man from Glen Burnie, the sixth passenger, was recovered in the Atlantic Ocean and transported to Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death is under investigation and the identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. None of the men were wearing life jackets.
NRPís Special Operation Division continues to investigate.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police remind all citizens and visitors that attention to boating safety saves lives, and is of paramount importance when enjoying Marylandís waterways. While it is recommended that everyone on board wear a personal floatation device while a vessel is underway, a child under 13 years of age must wear a life jacket while underway in a vessel that is less than 21 feet in length. In addition, children under 4 years of age and/or less than 50 pounds must have a life jacket equipped with a grab strap, inflatable headrest and crotch strap. NRP also recommends filing a float plan with a friend or relative. The plan should include the vesselís destination, how long it will remain at the destination, and what time it is expected to return. This information will assist rescue units if the vessel does not return. The Maryland Natural Resources Police emergency number is 800-628-9944.
|June 13, 2011||
Contact: Josh Davidsburg
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly a half-million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov