Delaware State Police
News Release

State Police Aviation Unit Rescues Five from Disabled Vessel North of Port Mahon

Released-Sunday, March 9, 2008

Little Creek-Delaware State Troopers assigned to the State Police Aviation Unit successfully rescued five persons from a disabled vessel just north of the Port Mahon boat ramp Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday, March 09, 2008 at approximately 2:13 p.m., the state police helicopter (Trooper 2) responded to Port Mahon to assist Division of Fish and Wildlife officers with a disabled vessel just north of the Port Mahon boat ramp.

The vessel, described as an eighteen foot Checkmate was stuck in the mud and could not be reached by boat.  The vessel was occupied by five victims including two elderly victims, two juvenile victims and one adult.

State Troopers effectively lifted each victim from the vessel without incident.  The victims were relayed to an awaiting Fish and Wildlife vessel. The entire operation took approximately fifty-five minutes. None of the victims were injured during the ordeal.