All Crime, All The Time – News and Commentary on the Criminal Class
Maryland Natural Resources Police report that two Kent Island fishing boat captains were charged Thursday with operating passenger vessels without required safety equipment and failing to have the appropriate licenses, following a lengthy investigation and enforcement action by undercover Maryland Natural Resources Police officers and the U.S. Coast Guard.
U. S. Coast Guard: A week in the life as crews train to save lives and guard the coast
TAYLOR’S ISLAND, MD. — The Coast Guard responded to a 40-foot boat taking on water Sunday with five people aboard in Wicomico River near Taylor’s Island.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore received a report from the boat’s operator at approximately 5:20 p.m., stating the boat was taking on water.
The operator of a D.C. Duck Tours boat called authorities around noon Sunday saying there was a car submerged in the water near the Humpback Bridge and Interstate 395 and that he could see the silhouette of a person.
Divers recovered the body around 1:30 p.m. The car was pulled from the water by 4 p.m.
Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program provides funding to preserve large tracts of forestry and agricultural land and natural resources, and for environmental protection while sustaining land for natural resource-based industries. Enacted by the General Assembly in 1997, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program has to date provided over $249 million to protect approximately 78,000 acres of valuable farmland, forests, and natural areas. The 11-member Rural Legacy Advisory Committee and the Rural Legacy Board, which is comprised of Maryland’s Agriculture, Natural Resources and Planning Secretaries, reviews grant applications annually
The major distinction of this particular boat is the Bimini top framework that is a combination of leaning post, bow rack, and 12 volt lighting and searchlight holder. At my age, reduced level of dexterity, and penchant for fishing alone, this is a personal option that might save me another dunking by falling off the boat. Been there, done that. More than once.
Two of the most important factors of fishing at night are having numerous lighting options to see with and a Plan B means to motor home. The Smokercraft has two twelve volt battery systems, a 24 V trolling motor power pack, and a soon to be purchased 2000 watt Honda AC generator. Lighting is provided by the floodlights, a 12 volt searchlight, and an overhead anchor light. And, let’s not forget the Maglite. The outboard motor and trolling motor offer a couple different means to power both to, through, and from those remote creeks back to the security of the public ramps along the rivers.
This summer, the Blue Crabs have been not only scarce. They are terribly expensive as well. It would upset my stomach to pay sixty dollars a dozen to eat crabs. Who would pay five bucks for a crab?
Usually, while fishing baited bottom rigs, we pick up about a half dozen crabs that fall off at the surface. This summer, the crab net is positioned close by in the boat to dip those big Jimmies. Would you let a five dollar bill float away?
Also, the most successful summertime anglers are actually archers who are putting hundreds of pounds of fish flesh into their coolers while most of us are sleeping. The sport of bowfishing is quickly growing in Southern Maryland. During the day, Cow-nosed Rays are usually targeted. At night, the more delectable invasive snakehead fish and Blue Catfish are more easily seen in the floodlights.
Fitzie’s Marina owner Dan FitzGerald reports that thirteen historic Chesapeake Bay Buyboats are visiting Fitzie’s this weekend.
“There were thirteen here last night and tonight and tomorrow we expect to host ten at Fitzie’s,” FitzGerald told THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY.
21540 Joe Hazel Rd
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-1913
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a boating safety class in an effort to promote safe boating practices. The Boating Safety Class is being presented by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary on Saturday, August 9, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Center, 1125 Courthouse Road, Stafford 22554.
There is still time to register this weekend for the world’s largest billfish tournament which will be held from August 4 till August 8 in Ocean City. Boats from Key Largo all the way north to New Jersey will depart from the Harbour Island Marina for a work week of fishing that will culminate with an awards ceremony at the Clarion Hotel on August 9.
Do not expect such major money from just registering with the minimum thousand dollar entry fee. Captains and crews who put additional wagers in multiple calcuttas earn the really big bucks if they can put the biggest White Marlin, Blue Marlin, tuna, dolphin, Wahoo or shark on the dock.