Officers search for missing Easton man

The search for a missing boater near the mouth of the Choptank River is continuing. According to authorities, the missing man is 63- year- old Ingvard Aasvik from Easton.

His boat reportedly ran aground near Cambridge Monday night with no one on board. Confusion may be the best way to describe Karen Ballinghoff Monday night when she spotted a twenty- seven foot cabin cruiser from her home on River Point Road in Cambridge.

Ballinghoff says, “I looked and I saw this boat going towards my neighbor’s. It was kind of perpendicular to my neighbor’s dock. I said to my husband there’s a boat out there.”

Ballinghoff quickly figured out something wasn’t right. She continues, “The tide went out and we knew it was probably sitting on the bottom. People came up with their flash lights walking around and looking around and all that.”

According to officials, when they discovered the vessel, it’s navigational lights were still on, the anchor was up, and the throttle was in neutral.

However, no one was on board. We’re told the search for the boater, that’s stretching from Trappe Creek to Todd’s Point, began at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. However, because of the weather and dark skies, the search has been tough.

Officials with the Maryland Natural Resources Police say folks boat all year round. However, they caution people that during this time of year, the water temperature is lower. That means if someone falls overboard, their chances of survival decrease.

Candy Thompson, the public information officer for the Maryland Natural Resources Police says, “We are hoping that this man is wearing a life jacket. That would make him easier to spot and help his chances greatly.”

A representative with the Natural Resources Police tells 47 ABC they plan to continue their search Wednesday morning, but it’s all contingent on the weather conditions.