Drowning in Indian River Bay

[Five4Fighting]

This is from the DNREC site.

Fish and Wildlife Agents Investigating Weekend Death of Boater in Indian River Bay


The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section is investigating the death of a Millville, Del., resident on Sunday, Aug. 27 on Indian River Bay.

According to Enforcement officials, Richard A. Haas, 65, of Bird Haven Road, Millville, was fishing in a 19-foot SeaPro center console boat Sunday afternoon when his vessel grounded on a sandbar. Witnesses reported that he was planning to wait for high tide to free the boat.

The victim’s wife notified Coast Guard officials that he was still aground at approximately 9 p.m. At approximately 11 p.m., the Coast Guard began a search for the vessel. The Millville Volunteer Fire Company was called to assist with the search.

At 7:40 a.m. this morning, Mr. Haas was found floating outside his boat in Indian River Inlet. He was wearing a life jacket. The boat was located by the Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section at 10:10 a.m., still aground in Indian River Bay.

The State Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the cause of death.

[Proheat]

Being aground for that long......I would have thought boat us or someone would have pulled him off. Sad to see it happen.

I guess we will have to wait for the rest of the examination.

Indian River Bay was a little snotty on Sunday. I ran my boat up to North Shore for gas and then to pick up my crab traps and it was a bumpy trip.

As far as running aground- the sand bars keep moving and anyone can run aground quickly if they are not familiar with the changes.

The Channel going from Indian river bay into Masseys Landing is getting pretty close. Rehobeth Bay is getting pretty shallow at some spots too.

[gradywhite273]

Amen to that, got my tshirt, and the bill from towboat us


tim

[GoinCoastal]

Always makes you wonder how some things happen or how someone can drown when thier boat is right there. Poor guy even had a life jacket on. Just goes to show you life is to short.

[Bert Rodgers]

Sounds like it may have been a heart attack. He may have gotten out to
push the boat off the bar and the exertion got to him.

Very sad.

Bert

[KEY-LIME-PIE]

My thoughts exactally. He probally tried to push the boat off the sandbar, and the ol ticker couldnt handel the stress. If I have to die i'd like to do it fishing not pushing the boat. Very sorry for the family, especially since the wife knew he was out there.

[GoinCoastal]

If I have to die, like most men, I want to do it during very very very strenous sex!

[KEY-LIME-PIE]

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL,,,,I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN.

[Five4Fighting]

I found this on another board. Hopefully it is ok to post Admin.

Mr. Haas ran aground east of the channel (if you can call it a channel) that runs from White's Creek to South Shore. He was offered aid by a passing boat just before dark. He was confident that he would get his boat free and proceed home when the tide rose. He lived nearby up White's Creek and mentioned he had nav. lights on the boat so he obviously thought it through. He did ask for the passing boater to notify his wife. This person did so and also called CG at Indian River. Mr. Haas' confidence at being able to get the boat off was relayed to them also. They gave him a certain amount of time to report home then began their search.
The Medical Examiner reported that his death was due to drowning and that he probably had some type of coronary event(not heart attack). Whether brought on by pulling the boat, swimming, or walking through the water we simply don't know. I can only stress that if you're aground, broke down, capsized, etc. please stay with the boat. It makes a much better target for a search than a person swimming.

[GoinCoastal]

Amen to that Shane!