By Cindy Hoffman

Staff Reporter

(Feb. 23, 2023) Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) assisted Showell Volunteer Fire Department with a water rescue in the St. Martin River on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. The call originally came in as a potential drowning.

“We received a call to assist Showell with a water rescue,” Ocean Pines Fire Chief Steve Grunewald said. “It was reported that a male subject was drowning as his kayak had flipped over. We launched our rescue boat from the Yacht Club and were able to make a successful rescue on the marsh of the St. Martin’s River.”

Fire officials said the kayaker was in the water for at least 45 minutes. The kayaker was not hurt.

“He was out of the water and we were able to get him off the marsh. We were not able to get the kayak. We looked for it, but with the outgoing tide, we were unable to find it,” Grunewald said. “It was cold. The water temperature was 42 degrees.”

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources assisted in the rescue operation. OPVFD reminded all those on the water to wear a life jacket, no matter how experienced they may be.