Maryland Natural Resources Police Rescue Two From Potomac River

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INDIAN HEAD — The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is currently investigating a boat accident that occurred late Monday night in the Potomac River.

The accident occurred at approximately 11:10 p.m. on the Potomac River near the mouth of Occoquan Bay just inside Maryland waters. A 26-foot vessel struck what NRP officers believe to be an unlit navigation marker and started to take on water. After a four-hour search of the area by NRP, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Maryland State Police helicopter and fire department rescue boats from Virginia, the boat and the two occupants were located.

NRP and USCG boats located the operator, Robert R. Benson, 43, and owner of the vessel, William S. Marcellino, 43, both of Dumfries, Va. holding onto their capsized boat. Both victims were transported to Smallwood State Park and flown to Prince George’s Hospital Center with non-life threatening injuries. Benson and Marcellino were wearing life jackets.

As standard with any boat accident, NRP will continue to investigate this incident.

NRP want to remind people to exercise caution and safety while boating on the waters of the state. Remember to wear your life jacket, stay alert, plan your trip and allow enough time to arrive and return from your voyage safely.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is an enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources. With an authorized strength of 285 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the Natural Resources Police provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

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May 11, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 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