Boat Capsizes In Chesapeake Bay, Lifejackets Save Three: Officials

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Three Lanham men thrown into the waters of Chesapeake Bay Monday when their boat capsized near the bridge off Cape St. Claire were safely plucked from the water by authorities. None of the men were hurt, which rescuers credited to each man wearing a lifejacket.

The mishap happened just before 3:30 p.m., and several drivers crossing the bridge noticed a boat had capsized near the inlet to Sandy Point State Park and called 911.

Fireboats from Anne Arundel County, Annapolis, and Queen Anne's County were dispatched, along with units from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department Special Operations Team. Before the fire department team arrived, a Maryland Natural Resources Police boat in the area pulled the men out of the water.

None of the men required medical attention and Natural Resources Police said that all three men were able to escape this situation unharmed thanks to proper use of personal flotation devices. The officers also towed the disabled boat back to the launch ramp at Sandy Point State Park.

"The men were wearing lifejackets, which helped them tread water and made it easier for officers to see them," the NRP said on Facebook.

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According to the fire department, the United States Coast Guard’s annual report of Recreational Boating Statistics says there were 701 deaths and 2,903 injuries nationwide as a result of recreational boating accidents in 2016. Where the cause of death was known, 80 percent of fatal accident victims drowned; 83 percent of the victims who drowned were not wearing a life jacket.

PHOTOS: Maryland Natural Resources Police Cpl. Jake Coxon (right), Officer Kristen McFarland (left) and Reserve Officer John Anderson (center) rescued three men from Lanham Monday afternoon after their small boat capsized under the Bay Bridge.