Saturday July, 26 2025 @ 17:44

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1

Location: off of the smaller Paradise Grille near Massey’s Landing

Coordinates:  38°37'57 and 75°5'52 ,

On Saturday evening, the Indian River (80), Bethany Beach (70), and Rehoboth Beach (86) fire companies were alerted for a priority water rescue incident in the Rehoboth Bay down from the Paradise Grill near Massey’s Landing.  Additional emergency alerts included the United States Coast Guard – Indian River Inlet Squadron, DNREC – Marine Police, the Sussex County Paramedics, the Mid Sussex Rescue Squad and the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit – Trooper2.  It was reported to be a person cut by a prop and was in a blue 27’ Sailfish boat, stuck on a sandbar between buoys 4 and 1B and cannot bring boat in to nearby ramps.

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

Emergency response crews were assigned to respond to the Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp and prepare for launching, provide traffic control assistance with access restrictions to the public ramps and parking facilities and other incident preparation activities including staging area for EMS and other resources.

It appears that a mariner was cut by a prop causing hemorrhaging and lacerations.  A Good Samaritan was flagged down from another boat assisted with tourniquet installation and has the bleeding controlled pending arrival of other first responder assistance.  It was reported that the USCG arrived, assisted patient and begun transport to Massey’s Landing Public Boat Ramp for awaiting Paramedic and other emergency medical services.  The aviation unit was cancelled.  The injured person was transported to nearby medical facilities by ground medics.

The Delaware State Fire Police coordinated their assignments to limit access to the ramps and parking lot area for the duration of the incident and other assistance as needed.

The DNREC – Marine Police are investigating.