Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2022 - 50

Recap of 2021 Pennsylvania
Boating Fatalities
by Ryan C. Walt
Boating and Watercraft Safety Manager
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
T
he " Recap of 2021 Pennsylvania Boating
Fatalities " is a summary of all fatal recreational
boating accidents in the Commonwealth that
year. This recap is intended to provide information to
illustrate the importance of safe boating practices and
help improve boating safety in Pennsylvania.
1. 1 Fatality
Private Pond, Erie County
2/21/21, Time unknown, Sunday
A 70-year-old male is deceased as a result of falling
overboard from a kayak on a private pond. The victim
observed his dogs having problems swimming in an
area of open water on his private pond and attempted a
rescue. There were no witnesses, but Pennsylvania State
Police officers who were on the scene believe the victim
saw the dogs struggling then went to his garage and
took his kayak out to the pond with his utility vehicle.
They believe the victim dragged the kayak across the
ice to the open water where the dogs were located and
entered the kayak to reach the dogs, then capsized.
The victim was later found deceased along with the
two dogs. The victim had no formal boating safety
education and was not wearing a life jacket nor were
there any life jackets onboard or at the scene. Sudden
coldwater immersion may have been a factor.
2. 1 Fatality
Private Pond, Mercer County
3/20/21, 3:37 p.m., Saturday
A 44-year-old male is deceased as a result of capsizing a
6-foot kayak while fishing on a private pond. The victim
had no formal boating safety education and was not
wearing a life jacket nor were there any life jackets onboard.
Sudden coldwater immersion may have been a factor.
3. 1 Fatality
Private Pond, Lancaster County
4/3/21, Time unknown, Saturday
An 84-year-old male is deceased as a result of capsizing
a 12-foot open motorboat on a private pond. The victim
50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
was reported missing late in the day, and his boat was
discovered adrift on the pond. The victim was recovered
the following day in 8 feet of water. The victim had no
formal boating safety education and was not wearing a
life jacket nor were there any life jackets onboard. Sudden
coldwater immersion may have been a factor.
4. 1 Fatality
Muddy Creek, York County
5/24/21, 5:00 p.m., Monday
A 53-year-old male is deceased as a result of capsizing
a 9 ½-foot kayak on Muddy Creek. The victim was
drifting in the kayak when it capsized. High and swift
water conditions forced the victim under the water,
where he was pinned against rocks and drowned.
The victim was wearing a life jacket at the time of the
incident but had no formal boating safety education.
Sudden coldwater immersion may have been a factor.
5. 1 Fatality
Pymatuning Reservoir, Crawford County
5/29/21, 10:30 a.m., Monday
A 55-year-old male is deceased after presumably
falling overboard from a 23-foot pontoon boat on
Pymatuning Reservoir. The victim had gone fishing by
himself and the boat came aground, empty, with the
engine still running and fishing lines out. There were
no witnesses to the incident. The victim had no formal
boating safety education. The victim was not wearing a
life jacket at the time of the incident, and his body was
recovered the next day. Sudden coldwater immersion
may have been a factor.
6. 1 Fatality
Lake Marburg, York County
7/3/21, 5:54 p.m., Saturday
A 24-year-old male is deceased after departing the
16-foot pontoon boat on which he was a passenger.
The operator had brought the boat close to shore and
fishandboat.com
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2022
