On Saturday 10/28/2023 I responded to Milford Neck Wildlife Area for a report of a stranded individual in the marsh.  When I arrived on scene, S/Cpl had retrieved the individual and brought him back to the boat ramp.  

I interviewed the individual, who explained that he attempted to put the bow of his vessel on the bank of the Mispillion River, around the first bend just east of the Milford Neck Wildlife area boat ramp.  When he did this, he noticed water coming over his stern, which had dipped below the water.  When he saw this, he immediately attempted to turn his bilge pump on but said he only heard a "hum" sound.  After realizing his bilge pump wasn’t working, he put his vessel into reverse to get off of the bank.  While doing this, he said he noticed his stern dip deeper into the water at which point he attempted to move to the bow to level his vessel out.  When he did this, the rest of his vessel filled with water and he jumped overboard and swam to the nearest bank.  At this point, he called 911.  

The vessel is a 1973 Eldo open motor boat.  It has a fiberglass hull, with a 1985, 25 horsepower Evinrude Outboard motor.  He contacted South Bowers Fire Company who advised they would come out the following morning to tow the vessel back to the ramp.

Mispillion River
Milford                       