The public is asked to avoid the Susquehanna River near Garrett Island as first responders conduct a search for a missing boater.
According to Maryland Natural Resources Police, crews are searching Thursday for a missing boater identified as Mark Everett Coates III, 18, of Havre de Grace.
NRP said Coates was last seen wearing a chartreuse long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans, and was last known to be operating a 10-foot aluminum jon boat near the Hatem Memorial Bridge around 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Coates was reported to have launched from the Water Street Boat Ramp in Havre de Grace, and the boat that was found capsized near Garrett Island.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Susquehanna Hose Co., Harford County Emergency Services, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Chesapeake Search Dogs and other agencies are assisting in the search with dive and aviation resources.
Boaters are asked to avoid the Susquehanna River between the U.S. Route 40 and Interstate 95 bridges amid the search.
The Susquehanna Hose Co. wrote in a social media post Thursday morning that its crews and mutual aid agencies are searching the river amid challenging weather conditions.
“We ask that boaters and members of the public please avoid the area, including the Water Street boat ramp, to allow emergency personnel to safely and effectively conduct search operations,” the post read.
Anyone with information is asked to call NRP at 410-260-8888.
