UPDATE: Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Boater; Vessel Returned to Shore

Image Courtesy of Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE: The Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing boater out of Worcester County over the weekend.

Authorities announced on Saturday that following an extensive 20-hour search covering a total 2,539 square nautical miles, the case was suspended Friday afternoon pending further information. The Coast Guard believes the boater went overboard from his boat off the coast of Ocean City.

Shortly after suspending, the Coast Guard Cutter Pompano took the missing boater’s vessel in tow to return it to shore. Friends of the mariner’s family recovered the boat on Saturday afternoon.

UPDATE: Authorities are continuing their search for a missing boater last seen in Worcester County after the U.S. Coast Guard reportedly found the man’s vessel abandoned.

After receiving information regarding the vessel’s possible location on Thursday, Coast Guard aircrews launched search assets and located a vessel matching the description of the missing boat. Initial overflights were unable to establish communications with the vessel, and no persons were observed aboard. A rescue swimmer was deployed to investigate the vessel, but confirmed no one was aboard.

The Coast Guard subsequently assumed search and rescue mission coordinator responsibilities and expanded search effort. Crews deployed Self-Locating Datum Marker Buoys to assist with tracking environmental conditions and vessel drift.

The Coast Guard Cutter Pompano remains on scene to conduct further investigation and gather information that may assist search and rescue efforts.

Waterway users are requested to keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress and anyone with information regarding the missing mariner is asked to contact the U.S. Coast Guard East District Command Center at 1-833-453-1269.

This update was published on Jun. 12 at 3:45 p.m. 

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is actively investigating the disappearance of of a boater last seen on Wednesday.

Authorities are searching for 49-year-old Daniel Potter and his 25 foot boat, last seen docked at Sunset Marina in West Ocean City on Jun. 10. The boat, described as a dark blue 2005 Hydra-Sport, bears a hull identification number of MD13DE. It is unknown whether Potter departed into the bay or the ocean.

Potter’s boat; Image Courtesy of Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Police say Potter is not in possession of his cellular phone and is considered critically missing due to concerning statements he made to family members. He has residences in Ocean Pines and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police and the United States Coast Guard have been notified and are actively searching for the vessel.

Anyone with information regarding Mr. Potter’s whereabouts is asked to contact the WCSO at 410-632-1111 or your local law enforcement agency immediately.

This article was originally published on Jun. 11 at 11:20 a.m.