Wednesday August, 3 2022 @ 16:24

Nature: Watercraft In Distress

Location: ITAO MASSEY'S DITCH

Coordinates:  38°37'6 and 75°5'34

On Wednesday afternoon, August 3rd, the Indian River (80), Millsboro (83), Dagsboro (73) volunteer fire companies were alerted for water rescue incident in the area of Massey’s Landing.  Additional emergency response alerts included the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad, the Sussex County Paramedics, the United States Coast Guard – Indian River Squadron, and the DNREC – Marine Police. It was reported to be a mariner encountering a medical condition.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Utility 80-8 with 80 Marine 1 from the Oak Orchard facility, Brush 80-0 with 80 Marine 2 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response units from Indian River launched from the Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp, Dagsboro launched from the Vines Creek area.  Indian River Marine units commenced with transporting the EMS personnel to the area of the incident while USCG assisted with bringing the mariner to the public boat ramp. 

The Sussex County Paramedics did initiate patient care at Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp. Upon arriving at the Massey’s Landing Boat Ramp, the distress mariner was transferred to an awaiting ambulance for transporting to nearby medical facilities.  Some of the remaining marine units assisted the other mariners and vessel back to their original launching point.

The Delaware State Fire Police coordinated the closing of Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp for the duration of the incident.

The Delaware State Police Aviation Unit was cancelled as well as all other responding marine units.

The DNREC Marine Police are coordinating the incident evaluation.