ST. MARY’S TODAY

    BLOODSWORTH ISLAND (May 30, 2007) - At approximately 6 a.m. on Memorial Day, St. Mary’s County volunteer fire departments were alerted to a sinking recreational boat in the Chesapeake Bay, south of Point Lookout.

    When responding fireboats entered Point Lookout State Park, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police were also alerted and launched from the park.

    A Maryland State Police (MSP) helicopter was dispatched and the U.S. Coast Guard also launched from the Eastern Shore to respond.

    After a short search an MSP helicopter spotted the sinking 23-foot Bayliner, with four people treading water near it.

    The “half sunk” vessel was located south of Bloodsworth Island near the aground-ship formerly used by the military for target practice, known to local mariners as “the target ship.”

    Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) Sgt. Ken Turner reports an NRP boat plucked three adults and a teenager from the water and a volunteer fire boat warmed them up during the trip back to shore. There was a slight case of hypothermia that was treated after with warming.

    “We actually had a happy ending. Everyone made it back to shore safe and sound,” Sgt. Turner told ST. MARY’S TODAY. “A little wet and chilly but everyone warmed up and was good to go then afterwards.”

    Once back on shore at Point Lookout, where they launched from, the group refused further treatment from volunteer medical personnel on the scene and waited for a commercial towing service to drag the vessel from the water.

    The vessel sunk due to taking on water, but the exact cause is still under investigation. The panicked crew must have dialed 911 for volunteer firefighters to arrive before DNR police knew there was an emergency.

    “We would all be in bad shape if it were not for those volunteers,” Sgt. Turner said of the rapid-responding volunteer fire companies in St. Mary’s County.

    Sgt. Turner said boaters the boaters were wearing lifejackets.

    “They were very, very lucky, and it’s a testament to the use of lifejackets,” Turner said. “Again and again and again we see testimony that safety equipment works … seat belts work, life jackets save lives.”

    The boat apparently had all the required equipment under state law, but Turner said boaters should seriously consider going beyond the minimum, and bring along items not required under law, such as cell phones, an anchor, and if possible a VHF radio to immediately alert the U.S. Coast Guard and Natural Resources Police of an emergency on the water.