Philip Merrill Missing; Rescuers Search Chesapeake Bay for Missing Publisher
Philip Merrill, 72, an experienced sailor and chairman of the board of Capital-Gazette
Communications Inc went missing Saturday after he sent out sailing alone his 41-foot sailboat. Two boaters found the sailboat adrift Saturday evening near Plum Point and no sign of Philip Merrill. Rescue crews using helicopters and boats searched 100 square miles of the Chesapeake Bay over the weekend and today.
Merrill, 72, had taken his 41-foot sailboat, the “Merrilly,” out alone Saturday. He typically followed an 18-mile round trip without wearing a lifejacket, Chaney said.
Two boaters found the sailboat adrift Saturday evening near Plum Point, about 25 miles south of Annapolis and 40 miles south of his home in Arnold, and called police, officials said.
Rescue crews believe Merrill likely fell overboard since his wallet was on board and there was no damage to the boat, officials said. The wind was gusting up to 25 mph on Saturday, creating conditions that could be difficult for a single sailor alone, Chaney said. (FOX News)
Crews Resume Search for Annapolis Publisher Small Boats, Helicopters, and C-130 Aircraft Search Area
Rescuers have resumed their Chesapeake Bay search for Philip Merrill, the firebrand newspaper publisher and diplomat whose 41-foot sailboat was found drifting alone Saturday in strong winds.
Rescue crews from the Coast Guard and the Maryland Natural Resources Police have been using small boats, helicopters and a C-130 aircraft to search an area roughly 25 miles by 8 eight miles, said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr.Adam Mach.
A pair of passing jet skiers spotted Merrill’s unmanned boat, Merrilly, about 20 miles south of Annapolis on Saturday evening. The search was halted at midnight Sunday, then resumed this morning at 5:30 a.m. (Washington Post)