Maryland natural resources police search for missing 19-foot bayliner adrift near upper chesapeake bay

Maryland Natural Resources Police Search for Missing 19-Foot Bayliner Adrift Near Upper Chesapeake Bay

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1 min read
May 29, 2026

Upper Bay, MD — Maryland Natural Resources Police are asking boaters and waterfront residents to watch for a missing 19-foot Bayliner that broke free from its anchor and may now be drifting through several Upper Chesapeake Bay waterways.

The vessel, identified as a 19-foot Bayliner with Maryland registration MD 2438 CA, became disabled on Thursday, May 28, while on the Susquehanna Flats, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police.

Boat Broke Free After Being Anchored

Officials said the Bayliner was anchored after becoming disabled, but the vessel later broke free.

As of Friday, authorities believe the boat may be adrift in or near the North East River, Elk River, or Sassafras River areas.

The Susquehanna Flats, located at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, is a popular destination for recreational boaters and anglers, making community assistance important in locating the vessel.

Boaters Asked to Report Sightings

The Maryland Natural Resources Police issued a public alert to residents and boaters throughout the Upper Bay region, urging anyone who spots the missing vessel to contact authorities immediately.

Officials have not reported any injuries or indicated whether anyone was aboard the boat when it broke free.


Key Points

• A 19-foot Bayliner with registration MD 2438 CA broke free from its anchor on the Susquehanna Flats.
• The vessel may be drifting in the North East, Elk, or Sassafras River areas.
• Maryland Natural Resources Police are asking the public to report any sightings.


Search Relies on Public Assistance

Unsecured or drifting vessels can pose navigation hazards for other boaters, particularly in busy waterways throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.

Authorities are encouraging mariners, marina operators, waterfront property owners, and anglers to remain alert for the missing Bayliner.

Anyone who sees the vessel or has information about its location is asked to contact the Maryland Natural Resources Police at 410-260-8888.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

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