Multiple boating emergencies in the Upper Chesapeake Bay region kept firefighters and rescue crews busy this weekend, reminding boaters how quickly things can go wrong on a boat and underscoring the importance of taking safety steps.
On Sunday morning, a boat fire consumed a powerboat docked at Pleasant Yacht Club in Sparrows Point, off of the Patapsco River and spread to another boat according to Baltimore County Police. The owner of the boat that initially caught fire was aboard, but was able to leave the boat without getting hurt. Both boats, around 30 feet, suffered significant damage. Several volunteer fire companies from the area responded, drawing on two different water sources to put the fire out. Two firefighters were transported to the hospital for heat exhaustion, and both were treated and released. Police say there was “no malicious intent detected” and they are investigating the cause.
Photos by Bowleys Quarters and North Point VFDs
The fire followed reports of an explosion aboard a boat further up the Bay, on the Bohemia River. At Safe Harbor Bohemia Vista marina, someone was working on a boat’s engine when the vessel reportedly had a battery explosion. That person suffered burns, according to Volunteer Fire Company #1 of Chesapeake City, Inc., which responded and treated the victim before calling for Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 1 to transport the patient to the burn center.
And on the Delaware side of the C&D Canal, two on-water emergencies prompted boaters to be rescued. A boat collided with a pole just off the shore of the canal around 10:30 p.m. Friday night. Delaware City Fire Company responded to the accident at Reedy Point Bridge with help from the Port Penn Volunteer Fire Company. Four people were aboard the boat and had made their way to shore after the boat began taking on water. One of the four boaters had to be taken to the hospital.
Not far away, just after noon on Saturday a powerboat capsized and overturned, causing a woman to become trapped under the cabin of the upside down boat. Delaware City Fire Company, Port Penn and other marine units responded to Augustine Beach in the Delaware River, just south of the canal. The woman told local reporters that her family was out crabbing when the accident happened.
Photo: Delaware City Fire Co.
Rescue crews were able to cut a hole in the hull of the boat and successfully extricate the trapped boater. She was brought to shore and assessed by paramedics, but found to be okay.
