Piscataway Creek, MD – On July 4, at approximately 10:54 PM, a distress call was made via VHF Marine radio and Public Safety Communications, reporting a boat rapidly taking on water after striking an unlit buoy in Piscataway Creek on the Potomac River. The vessel, carrying seven people, became disabled.
A good Samaritan vessel attempted to assist but became entangled in the distressed boat’s lines, rendering it disabled with two adults and two children on board.
Regional assets, including the Prince George’s County Police Department Marine Unit, Fairfax County Police Marine Unit, Prince George’s County Fire Department Volunteer Marine Rescue, the D.C. Fire Department, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Harbor Patrol, launched a search for the vessels.
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Falcon 1 helicopter provided air support, using new FLIR technology to quickly locate the vessel in distress and direct responding boats to the scene.
A private tow boat towed the sinking vessel to a local marina, while the Fairfax County Police Marine Unit transported the seven passengers to shore. The Prince George’s County Police Department Marine Unit towed the Good Samaritan vessel and its four passengers to safety.