Saturday March, 31 2012 @ 16:54:24

Nature: Watercraft in Distress

Location: ¼ mi. off Massey’s Landing

Address: 26690 - 26791 Captains Walk Millsboro, DE 19966

On Saturday afternoon, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a watercraft in distress approximately ¼ mile off of Massey’s Landing.

Indian River emergency response included: Brush #80-0 with 80 Marine 1; Utility #80-8 with 80 Marine 2; Engine #80-5; Rescue 80; Delaware State Fire Police, Sussex County Paramedics, and the DNREC Fish & Wildlife - Marine Police.

All units were launched at the Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp.

Vessel 80 Marine 2 launched and quickly identified a vessel that was not in distress and did not call 911 and requested that 80 Marine 1 coordinate a search of the island perimeter. 80 Marine 1 traveled the waterway around the entire island area with no such sighting of the distress vessel or any vessel.

After future communication, with Sussex County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) all vessels were permitted to return to Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ram and the incident was identified as unfounded.

Immediately after departing this incident and while returning to station quarters, the Sussex County EOC notified Chief Deery that the vessel encountered was now calling 911 for assistance. All emergency response crews returned to Massey’s Landing for another deployment.

Vessel 80 Marine 2 launched and quickly located the earlier aforementioned vessel that was not in distress and  requested that 80 Marine 1 coordinate transportation back to Massey’s Landing.

Two persons were removed from the distressed vessel and taken to Massey’s Landing and there were no injuries and no need for additional medical observations.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) of Indian River Inlet was notified of the vessel and its location.  The vessel was left anchored pending arrival of a boating towing entity.

The USCG did make a response and was one location and in consultation with Indian River's marine units.