HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The search has ended for 18-year-old Havre de Grace boater Mark Everett Coates.
His body was found Thursday afternoon near Garrett Island, where his 10-foot aluminum jon boat was found capsized a week ago. Coates was seen last Wednesday in his boat near the Hatem Bridge.
Around noon, divers from Maryland Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Police and Baltimore County Police were dispatched to the area between the Tydings Memorial Bridge (I-95) and Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40).
According to Maryland Natural Resources Police, volunteers with Christian Aid Ministries Pennsylvania Search & Rescue spotted a target of interest beneath the water offshore of Garrett Island on Thursday while using an underwater drone.
Divers had recovered a body that was positively identified as Coates.
Numerous search and rescue teams, along with emergency responders and volunteers, had searched for Coates since last week. The United Cajun Navy mobilized 84 volunteers and brought 34 vessels to the search this week.
"This is not the outcome any of us prayed for, but we hope bringing Markie home gives his family some measure of peace in the difficult days ahead," the United Cajun Navy posted on Facebook. "There are no words that can take away the pain of losing a child.
"To Markie's family: Thank you for trusting us and allowing us to stand beside you during one of the most difficult moments imaginable," the organization wrote. "Your love, strength and determination touched every one of us."
The organization ended the post stating, "Rest peacefully, Markie. You mattered and you will not be forgotten."
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