5 People Rescued From Capsized Vessel in the Potomac River
 
By 1st Lieutenant Danny Hill
August 12, 2016
 

At approximately 15:46 on 08/12/16 Fire Boat 6 was alerted to respond to a boat taking on water with 5 people in the water in the area of the Potomac River Bridge (south end) in the Potomac River on the Maryland side.

Boat 6 responded with 4 personnel. While enroute information was given that a 16' pleasure vessel was capsized with 5 subjects in the water, upon approach of the vessel Engine Company 14's crew had commandeered a work boat in the vicinity and had 3 children rescued. Boat 6 arrived on scene and threw life lines to the remaining 2 subjects in the water and rescued them making a total of 5 people rescued.

Due to Boat 6's staffing of 2 EMT's and vast assortment of medical equipment the decision was made to dock on the starboard side of the work vessel with 14's crew and move the 3 children onboard Boat 6. Boat 6 took transfer of 3 children and went enroute to Aqualand (staging area) to transfer all 5 individuals to EMS units for further evaluation. While boat 6 was enroute to the staging area a BLS assessment of 1 adolescent patient revealed an injury due to a recent surgery and falling overboard from the capsized vessel.

Units cleared @ 16:26 and was then dispatched to another boat in the vicinity having mechanical issues.

Great job to all!