Virginia, Maryland Marine Police & Coast Guard searched for missing boaters who never bothered to tell families they intended to camp out on Bay island

SERIOUSLY STUPID GO CAMPING…AND KEEP IT SECRET FROM FAMILY!
In less than 24 hours, the Virginia Marine Police have been called to a jet ski accident in Norfolk, at Willoughby Beach and again at 3:30 am this morning. This early morning call into the Virginia Marine Police Tangier Region office concerned a boat with four adults and five children that left Crisfield, MD. late in the afternoon on Friday.

Five VMRC boats were called out, the Coast Guard responded with boats and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources put a helicopter up to search a very large area of the Bay.

The adults did not tell the spouses where they were going and that they were going camping. The four adults and five children were found on the south end of Tangier Island in their camping gear at approximately 5:00 am this morning.

This is the first big weekend of the summer season. It is really important we get the message out that people be safe on the water:

Many water craft are being used for the first time since last summer. Check your boat or jet ski to make certain it is in good shape; the engine and radio work, etc.
Have lifejackets on.
If going out in a boat, let loved ones know where you are going and what time you will return.
Leave a copy of your boating plan in your car. Many times, Marine Police Officers check vehicle where water craft has left from for information that might help locate the water craft.
Do not operate a vehicle and drink alcohol. Drinking and boating is a violation of Virginia law.
Have emergency phone numbers with you. The VMRC Dispatch Center Toll Free number is 800-541-4646.
Look at the weather forecast before you leave. this is a gorgeous weekend, but the wind is blowing pretty hard. The weather must be taken into account. If you go out and you cannot safely maneuver your water craft, come back in.
The Virginia Marine Police, Coast Guard and local police departments work in partnership when there are distress calls. Do not hesitate to call any of these organizations. Family and friends should call 911 to report a boating accident or missing persons or unattended boats or jet skis. The 911 operators will contact the Marine Police or Coast Guard.
Be safe, be smart and enjoy the weekend.

The adults did not tell the spouses where they were going and that they were going camping. The four adults and five children were found on the south end of Tangier Island in their camping gear at approximately 5:00 am this morning.
The adults did not tell the spouses where they were going and that they were going camping. The four adults and five children were found on the south end of Tangier Island in their camping gear at approximately 5:00 am this morning.
The adults did not tell the spouses where they were going and that they were going camping. The four adults and five children were found on the south end of Tangier Island in their camping gear at approximately 5:00 am this morning.
The adults did not tell the spouses where they were going and that they were going camping. The four adults and five children were found on the south end of Tangier Island in their camping gear at approximately 5:00 am this morning.
The adults did not tell the spouses where they were going and that they were going camping. The four adults and five children were found on the south end of Tangier Island in their camping gear at approximately 5:00 am this morning.
The adults did not tell the spouses where they were going and that they were going camping. The four adults and five children were found on the south end of Tangier Island in their camping gear at approximately 5:00 am this morning.
The adults did not tell the spouses where they were going and that they were going camping. The four adults and five children were found on the south end of Tangier Island in their camping gear at approximately 5:00 am this morning.
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