Sunday October, 4 2026 @ 21:14

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 1 – Mutual Aid Response – Assist Rehoboth Beach

Location:  23621 W. Beach Dr., Angola Beach

On Sunday evening, October 4th, the Indian River and Lewes fire companies were alerted to assist the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company with a water rescue incident involving an overdue mariner.  It was reported to be 20’ Sea Hunt bowrider boat with 150 hp, white with black bimini and no known navigational lights with the area of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and/or inland bay area.  The mariner does have a dog with him as well.  Additional emergency alerts included the DNREC – Marine Police, United States Coast Guard from Indian River and Aviation Unit from Cape May, the Sussex County Command Post / Sussex County EOC Drone, the Sussex County Tech Rescue Drone Team, Dewey Beach Police Drone Units and others.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Rescue 80 from the Oak Orchard facility, Utility 80-11 with 80 Marine 2 and Squad 80 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response personnel were assigned to Massey’s Landing Public Ramp and await further assignments.

It appears that the mariner was traveling the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and back towards the Angola Beach area.

The emergency response units coordinated searches via canal from Lewes to Rehoboth, search the Gordon’s Pond area of the beach and bike trails, North Shore Marina and areas along the shores of the canal and Dewey Beach area.  The USCG unit coordinate a search from Massey’s Ditch to the designated launch point to the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal area.

The boat was located at the dock in Dewey Beach and then efforts to find the mariner commenced.

Emergency response units were downgraded and authorized to return to their respective stations.