This writer met with Owner/operator of the vessel and he stated that he and his wife were on a 52 foot skipjack that they owned and were out for a sailing trip from solomons Island, Maryland. The operator stated that they were about 7 miles south of Cedar Point, in the Chesapeake bay, in St. Mary's County, when they observed that their vessel was taking on water. They started heading back north to solomons, in a north/west direction. The Operator stated that he tried to get the engine started in the boat, but could not. His VHF radio did not work. While trying to get closer to shore the Operator stated that he encountered a gust of wind that turned the vessel over on its port side. They were able to get into a rubber raft that was on the boat. The Operater stated that they were in their raft for about 2 to 3 hours before they made it to shore.
Lexington Park                