On June 08, 2009 at approximately 2218, Ofc responded to a report of a vessel that had run aground in the Thousand Acres area of Deep Creek Lake. Complainant found the motor of the boat to be running and found no occupants on board. The vessel in question was a 24 foot Harris pontoon boat bearing Maryland registration 8568 BC. Responding Officers located a local address for the registered owner and checked his residence but were unable to make contact with anyone. involved personnel then made contact with the Hardy County Dispatch in West Virginia in an attempt to have the vessel's owner residence contacted. A surface search was then conducted in the area with no sucess and that search was called off at 0230 hours. At 0800, approximately five and one half later, on June 9, 2009, Sgt responded to the scene by vehicle and again checked the missing residence with no sucess. At that time Sgt entered the unlocked residence and found no one inside. Sgt then locateda Dodge pick-up truck registered to the owner of the vessel parked at the community dock parking lot. At that time, Sgt contacted the Hardy County, West Virginia Dispatch Center and requested a law enforcement officer to respond to the Hardy County residence of the missing boater. This request was fruitful and the Hardy County Sheriff's Department relayed the information that Victim was now living by himself at his Deep Creek Lake residence. At the same time Officers began conducting a surface search. Maryland State Police helicopter, Trooper 5, was requested and responded from Cumberland Airport. At 0920 hours Trooper 5 located the victim floating near the shoreline adjacent to a residence. this investigator arrived on scene approximately 1005 hours and observed the victim floating face down in the water. Officer and this Investigator then pulled the victim to the water's edge and this Investigator retrieved a wallet from his left front shorts pocket. Driver's license photo identification confirmed the victim, the registered owner of the vessel found aground the night before. The vessel registered to Victim was then examined by the Investigator. The vessel was located tied to a tree along the shoreline approximately 1/4 mile from where the victim was located. There were several empty beer cans on the deck and a partially consumed beer can in the cup holder at the operator's console. Located on the deck were some clothing items including a pair of jeans indicating the victim may have put his shorts on while on the boat. Although not running, the vessel was in gear with throttle at about a 2/3 forward position. There were no other remarkable contents found on the vessel.
Swanton                       