Be Careful Out There!

South River, MD

Boater Falls Overboard, Dies on South River

Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) are investigating the death of an Annapolis man who fell overboard on the South River last week.

76-year-old George Jaeger died May 6, after falling from a 22-foot Sea Hunt center console boat. According to NRP spokesman Capt. Brian Albert, Jaeger was an acquaintance of the boat’s operator, Thomas Cole Sr., and the two had recently met at a local restaurant.

Albert says Jaeger was standing at the stern of the boat when he fell in near navigational marker 11, and Cole was unable to get him back into the boat. A nearby sailboat picked Jaeger up while Cole went for help, but Jaeger didn’t survive.

Investigators are waiting on autopsy results. Jaeger had an extensive medical record, according to NRP, and they’re looking into whether his medical condition played a role in his death. Water conditions were relatively smooth at the time. Jaeger was not wearing a life jacket.

One trick to get someone back on a boat if it doesn't have a boarding ladder, is to use the hydraulics that life the motor to lift the man overboard. With the motor off, have him stand on the cavitation plates and then tip the motor forward to lift him over the motor.  You should then be able to pull him onto the deck. I know people who have done that maneuver on their own.