Department of Natural Resources Coordinates Multi-Agency Rescue of Stranded Hunters

Wicomico County, MD - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police successfully coordinated a rescue operation on the evening of January 31, saving six waterfowl hunters stranded on the Nanticoke River. The operation involved collaboration between the Natural Resources Police (NRP), the Wildlife and Heritage Service, and the Maryland State Police, and was first reported by Eastern Shore Undercover.

First responders were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Local fire rescue crews attempted to reach the stranded vessel but were halted by unnavigable waters.

Thick ice and frozen boat ramps made standard boat access impossible. Weather conditions were severe, with temperatures in the high teens to low 20s and wind gusts exceeding 20 miles per hour.

Sgt. John Buchanan and Ofc. Christian Helwig of the NRP were aboard the helicopter "Natural 1." They had just finished an escort mission in Tangier Sound when they received the call to assist. Upon arrival at the Nanticoke River, the crew used the helicopter's spotlight to locate the disabled vessel and verify that all passengers were accounted for.

Given the difficult conditions, responders deployed multiple resources, including the Maryland State Police's Trooper 6 helicopter and a specialized airboat from the DNR Wildlife and Heritage team.

The airboat is designed to glide over ice and operate in shallow, marshy environments. Wildlife staffer Greg Schenck arrived to operate the vessel.

Due to the high winds, crews determined that a hoist rescue by Trooper 6 would be too risky. They opted for a boat rescue instead. Schenck, accompanied by Cpl. Jeremy Ryan and Sgt. Robert Karge of the NRP, launched the airboat from a nearby campground parking lot.

Guided by the searchlight from Natural 1, the airboat team made two separate trips to retrieve the hunters. All six individuals were brought safely to shore. EMS personnel evaluated them on-site before they returned to their vehicles.

The successful outcome was attributed to the precise coordination between the responding agencies. The DNR acknowledged the vital cooperation of its inter-agency partners and the Maryland State Police.

The incident coincided with the close of Maryland's waterfowl hunting season on January 31. The DNR reminds all boaters to exercise extreme caution when operating in ongoing icy conditions.

Photo and Video Courtesy of Maryland Department of Natural Resources