7 People Rescued From Sinking Boat On Potomac, 4 Others Towed To Shore: PGPD

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Seven people found themselves stranded on a sinking boat on the Potomac River near the Piscataway Creek July 4 shortly before 11 p.m. A second boat that stopped to help also became disabled, stranding almost a dozen people total.

A distress call came in across VHF Marine radio around 10:54 p.m. that the boat was "rapidly taking on water" after hitting an unlit buoy. Another boat stopped to try and help but became entangled in the sinking boat's lines, leaving it also disabled with two adults and two children on board that boat, reported the Prince George's County Police Department.

The Prince George's County Police Department Marine Unit, Fairfax County Police Marine Unit, Prince George's County Fire Department Volunteer Marine Rescue, the D.C. Fire Department and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Harbor Patrol launched a search for the boats as soon as the call for help came in, according to the police department.

D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Falcon 1 helicopter provided air support and located the vessel in distress using brand-new FLIR technology. Falcon then directed responding boats to the scene. A private tow boat towed the sinking boat to a local marina, while the Fairfax County Police Marine Unit took the seven passengers to shore. The PGPD Marine Unit towed the second boat that had stopped to help, along with its four passengers, to safety.

"This operation underscores the exceptional coordination, dedication and professionalism of all officers involved. Their quick and effective response ensured the safety of everyone involved, demonstrating their commitment to protecting our community and waterways. We are immensely proud of their efforts and grateful for their unwavering dedication," the Prince George's Police Department stated.