[Scan-DC] CAP 406 MHz bay search

[Alan Henney]

PRESS RELEASE                              
MARYLAND STATE POLICE
Barrack "X" Princess Anne                          
30581 Perry Road
Princess Anne, Maryland 21853

(Somerset County, MD) -- After coordinated efforts by Federal, State, and Local authorities, two overdue female kayakers, ages 60 and 52, from Mechanicsville, VA, were located in the marsh off of Smith Island, MD, in the early morning hours of May 29, 2011. 

On 5-28-11 at approximately 9:17 p.m. Maryland State Police, Special Operations Division was notified by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) of an activated 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) being received by Search and Rescue Satellites.  As per protocol, a Civil Air Patrol Aircraft with detection finding equipment was launched from Annapolis, MD, and dispatched to the area Southwest of Smith Island.   Two MSP helicopters, Trooper 4 (Salisbury) and Trooper 7 (Southern Maryland), were activated and responded to the area.  The U.S. Coast Guard, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police (NRP), and the Ewell Volunteer Fire Department dispatched several boats to assist with the rescue.   Personnel from the Maryland State Police, Princess Anne Barrack also responded.

At approximately 10:26 p.m. with search and rescue assets responding, the Coast Guard received further information of a flare sighting in the area, and the report of two overdue kayakers.

At 11:35 p.m. Civil Air Patrol aircraft arrived on station, detected the beacon's signal, and began an aerial search.  Two subjects were subsequently located, waving flashlights at the aircraft.  The victims were found in a small creek in the middle of the marsh off Smith Island.  The Coast Guard established communication with the victims via marine radio.  Due to the location of the kayakers, MSP Helicopter Trooper 7 prepared for a hoist operation.  Due to the victims' hesitancy to enter the rescue basket, the hoist operation was unable to be completed.  Trooper 7 stayed over head and assisted as a NRP boat and a Ewell Fire boat navigated several small creeks through the marsh in order to locate the victims.  After contact over marine radio was established between the boats and the victims, the NRP boat, with MSP personnel on board, located both victims.

At 12:46 am on 5-29-11, both subjects were safely on the NRP boat with no injuries.  A Trooper interviewed the subjects as the boat returned to Ewell dock, and learned the following;  

On 5-28-11 at 1:30 p.m. the two subjects departed Ewell, Smith Island, on a group kayaking trip around the island.  At 4:30 p.m. the subjects separated from the group, and decided to travel a different route back.  Approximately 6:30 p.m., their GPS took them on a route believed to be a shortcut across the marsh.  The subjects got misdirected and once it got dark they activated a Personal Locator Beacon.  Subsequently, the subjects noticed an aircraft circling overhead, and gained the aircraft's attention by waving a flashlight.  The aircraft was the Civil Air Patrol, which remained on scene up to the rescue.  Both subjects advised they were tired and wet, however not injured.

On 5-29-11 at approximately 1:30 a.m., after several hours on the water, both females and their equipment were reunited with their tour group on Smith Island, MD. 

Point of contact:  Lt. K. Plunkert
Maryland State Police - Barrack "X"
30581 Perry Rd. Princess Anne, MD 21853
Case # 11-95-002466