On Dec. 1, the Maryland Natural Resources Police investigated a fatal boating accident that occurred in the Chesapeake Bay, 2 ½ miles east of Point Lookout, near Buoy #70.
Preliminary investigation revealed two people were recreational fishing aboard a 28 foot Marinette boat. The vessel was underway when the passenger in the vessel fell overboard. The operator, Craig Matthew Powell, 47 of Scotland, Md. turned the vessel around and located the overboard passenger. Powell was unable to get the passenger back on board his vessel. Personnel from Ridge Fire and Rescue arrived on scene to get the overboard passenger into their rescue vessel. The emergency personnel rendered aid and transported the victim to shore. The overboard passenger succumb to injuries at St. Mary’s hospital.
The name of the victim is Gary Berthold Pappe, age 58 from Springfield, Va. The victim was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.
Maryland Natural Resources Police Special Operation Division is continuing the investigation into the accident.
Authorities received a 911 call from a boater who reported his partner fell overboard in the Chesapeake Bay near buoy 70 shortly before 2:30 p.m.
Maryland State Police Helicopters Trooper 9 and Trooper 2 along with the US Coast Guard, DNR and Smith Point Rescue have been notified and are en route to the scene.
Preliminary investigation revealed a white male, age 50, fell overboard from a 28 foot vessel.
A water rescue is underway. More information to follow as it becomes available.