CG file photo
BALTIMORE – The Coast Guard, along with partnering agencies, are searching for a 49-year-old man missing in the Lower Patuxent River near Broomes Island, Md., Saturday.
Calvert County emergency services contacted Coast Guard Sector Baltimore watchstanders at 6:45 p.m. reporting that three people were aboard a 12-foot vessel taking on water near Broomes Island.
A 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes, Md., along with crews from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., Maryland Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Police, St. Mary’s County, Calvert County and volunteer rescue crews from Solomon’s Island and Benedict Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad launched and began searching for the missing people.
At approximately 7 p.m. a good Samaritan rescued two of the people that reportedly swam ashore. The rescued were then taken to Calvert Memorial Hospital in Prince Frederick, Md., where they were treated for mild hypothermia.
The missing person is described as an African American male wearing camouflage clothing and an orange life jacket.
The sunken vessel was located at 10:30 p.m. by the Coast Guard rescue crew with no sign of the missing passenger.
“It is critically important that mariners practice cold water safety if they plan to go out on the water,” said James K. Potter, a search and rescue coordinator at Sector Baltimore. “Going out at this time of year can be treacherous. Mariners can prepare for cold-water survival by carrying items such as cold water emersions suits, a working marine-band radio and personal flotation devices aboard their boats.”
The Coast Guard urges mariners to take extra precautions as the season changes. Remember to wear approved life jackets at all times, maintain situational awareness and have an operating marine-band radio aboard your vessel in order to notify rescuers in the event of an emergency situation on the water.
