On 9-3-2012 a 37 foot ODay sloop reported a missing boater in the Chesapeake Bay.  Maryland NRP responded.  The sloop was sailing north in heavy weather when the wind picked up and heeled the boat over.  Two occupants slipped over the leeward side.  The operator picked up one person.  The second male occupant was last seen waving his hands.   The boaters then lost sight of him.  NRP officers boarded the ODay and along with an NRP patrol vessel searched the area for 4.5 hours.  The search continued the next day.  The missing boater was recovered by NRP on 9-6-2012.  The report of the medical examiner revealed a head injury and preliminary cause of death was drowning.  The deceased was not wearing a PFD but was known to have been a good swimmer.  No alcohol was involved and no charges filed.
Gibson Island                 