Maryland State Police Helicopter Executes Dramatic Hoist Rescue for Stranded Boater

Maryland State Police Aviation Command has successfully conducted an aerial hoist rescue for a boater experiencing a medical emergency in a remote area of Somerset County. The operation, which occurred on Friday afternoon, April 17th, involved a helicopter crew navigating challenging terrain to safely extract an individual who had grounded their vessel.

The incident began shortly after 1:30 p.m. when rescue personnel were dispatched to Dames Quarter Lake in response to a boater who had run aground and subsequently suffered a medical emergency. Given the boater’s inaccessible location and the anticipated difficulty of a ground or water-based extraction, the United States Coast Guard requested the assistance of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. Trooper 4, a Maryland State Police helicopter stationed in Salisbury, was dispatched to the scene by the SYSCOM Duty Officer.

A search commenced in the area east of Deal Island. A Maryland Natural Resources Police officer located the boater and confirmed that an aerial hoist extraction was necessary due to shallow water conditions that precluded any vessel access. A Trooper/Paramedic was lowered from the helicopter onto a small patch of solid ground within the marsh, which was otherwise unreachable by boat. The Trooper/Paramedic then assessed the boater’s medical condition and prepared them for extraction using specialized rescue equipment.

Hovering approximately 70 feet above the marsh, Trooper 4 successfully executed the hoist operation, bringing the individual aboard the aircraft. The flight crew immediately transitioned into their medical evacuation role and transported the patient to a local hospital for further treatment. The rescue was performed using an AgustaWestland AW-139 helicopter, part of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command’s fleet.

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command, established in 1970, operates a fleet of 10 AW139 helicopters from seven bases across Maryland, providing 24/7 support. The command’s diverse missions include medical evacuations, law enforcement support, search and rescue operations, homeland security initiatives, and disaster assessment. The success of these operations is heavily reliant on the collaborative efforts of various local fire, rescue, EMS, and law enforcement agencies, as well as partner organizations.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Maryland State Police

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