Sound Level Check Available at Rogues Harbor July 28

     Annapolis, Md. -- Maryland Natural Resources Police will be conducting courtesy sound level testing on July 28 from 10 am-3 pm at the Elk Neck State Park Rogues Harbor boat launch.
    The results of the courtesy sound level check are not official and will not be held against boaters. The purpose of the check is to educate boaters on sound level requirements and provide an unofficial idea of a vessel's decibel level.

Boater's Body Recovered Near Chesapeake Beach

     Chesapeake Beach, Md. -- On the evening of Sunday, July 1, in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, the Maryland Natural Resources Police recovered the body of a missing boater identified as 26-year-old Angel Giovani Ayala Cerros.

     The body of Mr. Cerros was recovered in the Chesapeake Bay late Sunday near Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County. The fatality was the result of the heavy winds and storms that came through the area late Friday night. The storm caused the boat he was on to overturn and capsize.

     Four other people that were on the vessel at the time of the accident were rescued early Saturday morning. Mr. Cerros was from Alexandria Va. His body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for autopsy. The Maryland Natural Resources Police Special Operations Division continues the investigation into this fatal boating accident.

Boater Missing Near Breezy Point

     Breezy Point, Md. -- Four people were rescued early Saturday morning and a search continues for one person after their boat capsized during Friday night's violent storm.

     U.S. Coast Guard officials said a Good Samaritan rescued two people after the boat they were aboard began sinking around 3:30 a.m. near Breezy Point, Maryland. The boaters were found hanging on to a crab pot buoy.

     Maryland Natural Resources Police have identified the missing person as Angel Ayala Cerros, 28, of Alexandria, Virginia. It was Cerros' 12-foot boat that capsized during high winds, heavy rains, and rough sea conditions.

     The Coast Guard rescued two more people who had been in the boat shortly after a distress call.

     According to the NRP, the four people rescued were wearing life jackets when the boat capsized, but Cerros had become separated from his life jacket during the accident.

     The search for the missing boater continued Saturday with the following units participating: U.S. Coast Guard, NRP, the Charles County Fire Department and the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.

Maryland NRP Enforcing New Boat Noise Regulations

Natural Resources Police to Offer Courtesy Noise Checks

     Annapolis, Md. -- Boaters traveling in Deep Creek Lake, the Bohemia River, the Elk and Northeast Rivers and tributaries, and the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal must adhere to recently updated boat noise regulations. The state is providing citizens with free tests to determine if their boat is within the legal limit.

     The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) established the regulations, which went into effect November 28, 2011, because of increasing citizen concern in these areas. These locations feature high banks and bluffs that magnify noise and carry it over long distances, accounting for more than 50 percent of boat noise complaints statewide.

     New for this summer, the regulations prohibit boats with mufflers and muffler cut-out systems from exceeding the following noise levels.
For engines manufactured before January 1, 1993, the noise level may not exceed 90 decibels.
Those manufactured on or after January 1, 1993, the noise level may not exceed 88 decibels.

     Boats manufactured after January 1990 must operate with a continuous muffler system and and may not operate a device that bypasses, reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of a muffler or noise suppression device or system.

     The full regulation is located in COMAR 08.18.03 and may be accessed from the Maryland Division of State Documents website: Vessel Noise Regulations.

     The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) will be conducting courtesy tests so boaters may determine if their vessel meets regulation guidelines. The test is done at idle, with all engines running and at the loudest level with any bypass device engaged, and is not a law enforcement action. Participants with boats that are over the noise limit will only be advised of the decibel output. Testing dates, times and locations are being scheduled and will be listed at dnr.state.md.us/boating/ and dnr.state.md.us/nrp/.

Bodies of Two Men Recovered After Boating Accidents

     Annapolis, Md. -- Two men from Maryland have died in separate boating incidents over the Memorial Day weekend. The bodies of the men were recovered about an hour apart Monday.

     Maryland Natural Resources Police report that at about 12:30 p.m. the body of David Whitlow, 43, of Hebron, was found. He died as a result of an apparent boating accident Sunday night in the Kent Narrows area.

     Shortly thereafter, police recovered the body of Brandon M. Greene, 21, of Edgewood. Greene disappeared Sunday afternoon after jumping off a boat and into the Chesapeake Bay near Howell Point.

     The deaths are less than a week after the end of national Safe Boating Week that raises awareness of the importance of life jackets.

     Maryland had 24 boating deaths last year, nearly double the state's average.

Maryland NRP Celebrates National Safe Boating Week

     Annapolis, Md. -- The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) and local boat insurance provider, Jack Martin/Avon-Dixon, encourage the public to join them in wearing a lifejacket to work on Friday, May 18. The state initiative kicks off National Safe Boating Week, May 19 to 23, by raising awareness on the importance of these life saving devices.

     “The simple act of wearing a lifejacket could mean the difference between life and death during a boating accident,” said NRP Superintendent Colonel George F. Johnson IV. “If we can prevent one fatality on Maryland waterways by reminding the public to wear a lifejacket, we have accomplished our goal.”

     By encouraging everyone to wear a lifejacket in a non-typical setting, such as at work, NRP hopes to heighten public awareness and foster discussion on the importance of boating safety.

     Last year alone, Maryland had 24 boating deaths- nearly double the ten year average of 13. Nationwide, approximately 75 to 80 percent of boating deaths are due to drowning, many of which could have been prevented with the use of a life jacket.

     “We are pleased to have the opportunity to team up with the Natural Resources Police for this cause,” said Jon Horton of Jack Martin/Avon-Dixon. “We feel that this is a great way to remind everyone just how important these devices are. It has also been educational experience for all of us, giving our office a forum to discuss the different makes and models of lifejackets that each of us brought to work.”

     Jack Martin/Avon-Dixon and NRP will hold free, boating-safety vessel inspections at the following locations:
Newcomb, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 20 at the Oak Creek Boat Ramp
Stevensville, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 2 at the Matapeake Fishing Pier

     NRP and the Minor league Baseball team, the Bowie Baysox, will host Stay Safe on the Bay with the Baysox at the team’s May 24 home game at 7 p.m. NRP’s Boating Safety Unit, Color Guard and mascot, PFD Panda will be on hand to the share their boating safety message. NRP and the Coast Guard will also be at City Dock in Annapolis with displays and demonstrations raising awareness on safe boating in Maryland’s waterways on May 26.

     For more information on Maryland Boating Safety visit dnr.maryland.gov/boating/safety.