FORT WASHINGTON, Md. – On July 4, 2024, at approximately 10:54 pm, a distress call was made over VHF Marine radio and to Public Safety Communications, reporting a boat rapidly taking on water after striking an unlit buoy in the area of Piscataway Creek on the Potomac River. The vessel, carrying seven people, was disabled.
A good Samaritan vessel attempted to assist but became entangled in the distressed boat’s lines, rendering it disabled with two adults and two children on board.
Regional assets, including the Prince George’s County Police Department Marine Unit, Fairfax County Police Marine Unit, Prince George’s County Fire Department Volunteer Marine Rescue, the D.C. Fire Department, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Harbor Patrol launched a search for the vessels.
D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Falcon 1 helicopter provided air support and quickly located the vessel in distress using brand-new FLIR technology. Falcon then directed responding boats to the scene.
A private tow boat managed to tow the sinking vessel to a local marina, while the Fairfax County Police Marine Unit transported the seven passengers to shore. The PGPD Marine Unit towed the Good Samaritan vessel, along with its four passengers.
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