Sunday May, 19 2019 @ 15:44

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1

Location: 23612 - 23657 West Beach Dr., Lewes, DE 19958

On Sunday afternoon, May 19^th, the Indian River (80), Rehoboth Beach (86), and Bethany Beach (70) volunteer fire companies were alerted a priority water rescue event near Angola on West Beach Drive off of the Rehoboth Bay. 

Emergency response units from Indian River include 80 Marine 2 with Brush #80-0 responded and launched from the Pot Nets Creekside location; 80 Marine 1 with Utility 80-8 responded and launched from the Massey’s Landing location; as well as Engine #80-1 and the Delaware State Fire Police responded to the Massey’s Landing Boat launch.

Units responded to the Rehoboth Bay area for a search but was quickly cancelled upon learning that the recovery and rescue were completed.

The United States Coast Guard – Indian River Inlet Squadron, the DNREC – Marine Police, the Sussex County Paramedics, and the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit – Trooper #2 were utilized for the incident as well.

Additional information will be identified when available.

You may view the following websites:

• WGMD Radio 92.7 - http://www.wgmd.com/multiple-agencies-respond-to-rehoboth-bay-boating-tragedy/?fbclid=IwAR34gaZratSzbr5wVGPw73cfqRNBkWz7YapN-Mhgz0mPTl244bjKb_KAw4U

Multiple agencies have been searching the Rehoboth Bay after two persons were brought to shore at West Beach Drive in the Angola area where one has been reported deceased.

According to the Coast Guard, the boaters had been aboard a 16-foot flat-bottom vessel that capsized and sank in the Rehoboth Bay.  A Good Samaritan operating a pontoon boat brought the two persons back to Angola, says Petty Officer Ronald Hodges, Coast Guard spokesman.

The Coast Guard later located the sunken vessel along with a debris field almost two miles west of New Road.  The boat is being salvaged by DNREC and will be taken to dock for the investigation.

Firefighters from Rehoboth Beach, Indian River and Bethany were joined by Sussex County EMS, the state police helicopter, Coast Guard and DNREC during the search which began around 3:40 p.m.

• WBOC TV - http://www.wboc.com/story/40499676/officials-investigating-deadly-boating-accident-on-rehoboth-bay.

Updated: Officials Investigating Deadly Boating Accident on Rehoboth Bay

Posted: May 19, 2019 5:07 PM EDT

Updated: May 19, 2019 7:03 PM EDT  

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - A man is dead after a boat capsized in the Rehoboth Bay Sunday afternoon.

According to DNREC's Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police (NRP), two men were on the bay around 3:45 p.m. The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company -- who responded to the scene -- says the men were on a boat near the Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club.

A spokesperson for Fish & Wildlife NRP says that the men's boat was small and capsized due to weather, water conditions and the wake of passing vessels.

NRP says the operator was able to stay above water using life jackets and flagged another boat for help, while holding onto his passenger. According to Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources police, that passenger had previous medical issues and went into distress upon entering the water.

The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company says the men were taken to a marina in Angola by another boat. There, the male passenger was pronounced dead. 

NRP says the surviving man is in stable condition.  

DNREC's Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police has recovered the boat and has it in its possession

•  Cape Gazette Newspaper - https://www.capegazette.com/article/man-dies-after-boat-capsizes-rehoboth-bay/181139.