Coast Guard assists sinking boat

BALTIMORE - Coast Guard and local agencies responded to a distress call from a man who reportedly struck a buoy in the Elk River, Md., Saturday.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Baltimore received notification of a 28-foot boat with six people aboard, reportedly talking on water in the Elk River Channel near Old Field Point in Elkton, Md., after striking buoy 19 at approximately 10:00 p.m.

Crews from Coast Guard Station Stillpond, Md., Maryland Air Trooper 1, Cecil County Fire Rescue, Department of Natural Resources and Towboat U.S. launched and began searching for the distressed party.

A 25-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Stillpond arrived on scene at approximately 10:30 p.m., and assisted with dewatering the vessel with the help of Towboat U.S. Once the vessel was dewatered, Towboat U.S. towed the boat and the crew to the Bohemia River Marina.

Station Stillpond verified that buoy 19 is in the correct location and can be used as a navigational aid.

There were no reports of injuries.