Natural Resources Police and Baltimore County team up to rescue boaters

Annapolis, Maryland (March 27, 2012) – Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) rescued three boaters from 53 degree water out of the Middle River near Wilson Point in Baltimore County on March 26 around 6 p.m. NRP rescued Dwayne W. Abbott, 28 from Essex and Jonathan M. Miller, 11, and William H. Miller, 34, both from Middle River, after their boat capsized.

NRP received the call from Baltimore County 911 and found the three boaters in the water with help from the Baltimore County aviation unit. The boat capsized from waves and winds of about 20 knots. NRP transferred the boaters to a Baltimore County Fire Department vessel and then to Franklin Square Hospital for evaluation.

All of the boaters were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident. NRP reminds boaters that current water temperatures are still dangerous and can cause hypothermia. Boaters should dress according to current water temperatures and practice “SAFE” boating.

Boaters should use good judgment and take precautions before they depart from the dock. Boaters can help ensure their safety and the safety of others by remembering the acronym “SAFE;”

• S – Survey or examine the boat’s hull, engine and navigational equipment. Ensure the hull is sound and free of cracks, holes and defects. Inspect the boat’s engine performance. Take it to a certified mechanic to ensure the engine is operating properly. Survey and examine all navigational lights, communication, radar, GPS and other electronic equipment to ensure that they are functioning properly.
• A – Anticipate the needs of the trip prior to leaving the dock. Ensure fuel, clothing, and medical needs are met during the trip. Plan for unexpected events like severe weather or sudden storms.
• F – File a plan with a friend or relative. Boaters should tell someone their destination, how long they plan to stay, and when they expect to return. This is vital information for rescuers searching for lost or overdue boaters.
• E – Equipment. Ensure that all safety equipment is in good condition and sufficient quantity for the people on board the vessel. Basic equipment includes correct size and quantity of life jackets, fire extinguishers, visual distress signals (flares etc), and sound producing devices such as a whistle or horn.

Also, boaters should refrain from drinking alcohol while boating. Alcohol impairs judgment and affects motor skills. It also increases the loss of body heat in cold water increasing risk of hypothermia.

The Natural Resources Police will be aggressively pursuing and arresting boaters that choose to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol. The penalty for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol is $1000 and/or one year in jail.

Recent Alcohol Arrest:

NRP charged Gordon R. Hostetter, 56 from Baltimore, with operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol and operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol on March 17, 2012 at around 9 p.m. Officers stopped Hostetter near the Baltimore Harbor in the Patapsco River for a boating violation.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation, maritime and 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.

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 one-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