Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2022 - 51

did not beach or anchor it. At that time, three passengers
disembarked to be in the water while two passengers
remained on the boat. When the party was ready to
reboard the boat and depart, they noticed the victim was
missing. After looking around, they saw him face down
in the water. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful,
and the victim was later pronounced dead. The victim
was not wearing a life jacket and was an inexperienced
swimmer. Alcohol was a factor.
7. 1 Fatality
Susquehanna River, Clearfield County
9/7/21, Time unknown, Tuesday
A 52-year-old male is deceased after his 15-foot canoe
was found capsized on the West Branch Susquehanna
River. The victim was dropped off by a friend and then
launched his canoe for a multi-day float beginning
Saturday, September 4, at Cherry Tree Access. He was
supposed to call his friend when he wanted to be picked
up. The friend returned on Monday, September 6, to find
a capsized canoe and several of the victim's belongings
including fishing gear and a life jacket. The friend did
not immediately report the findings and waited until
Tuesday, September 7, to contact emergency services.
An extensive search ensued, and the victim's body was
recovered in a remote section of the river approximately
1 mile downstream of the recovered canoe. The victim
did have a life jacket onboard but was not wearing it.
The victim had no formal boating safety education. High
water conditions in addition to drugs and/or alcohol may
have been factors.
8. 1 Fatality
Allegheny River, Allegheny County
10/20/21, 4:30 p.m., Wednesday
A 64-year-old male is deceased after a 14-foot
motorized canoe capsized on the Allegheny River
while he and another passenger were boating. The
operator was rescued by a passing boater and taken to
a hospital for care. An extensive search ensued to find
the victim, and his body was recovered approximately
4 hours later. The victim was not wearing a life jacket
and had not taken a formal boating safety education
course. Alcohol may have been a factor.
9. 1 Fatality
Susquehanna River, Lancaster County
10/21/21, 8:53 p.m., Thursday
A 42-year-old female is deceased after a 14-foot open
motorboat, in which she was a passenger, capsized.
The boat was operating in an area of high-flow
discharge from a powerplant. The boat operated too
close to the discharge. Water came over the transom,
which caused the boat to capsize with its three
occupants. The operator was not wearing a life jacket
at the time of the incident, but the two passengers were
wearing life jackets. The operator and one passenger
were able to get to shore. The victim was washed down
river, where she was found unresponsive. CPR was
administered. She was pronounced deceased at a local
hospital. The operator had no formal boating safety
education. The victim was wearing a life jacket and
sudden coldwater immersion may have been a factor.
When boating, remember to . . .
* Wear your life jacket. It floats, even if you don't. Wear it buckled and/or zipped.
* Never operate your boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
* Look around. Avoid a collision by keeping a proper lookout.
* Watch your wake. It is the wave behind your boat and can cause damage.
* Stay away from manmade and natural hazards like dams and strainers
(trees in the water).
* Never overload your boat. Keep your weight and gear centered.
* Stop that prop. Turn off your engine before picking up a skier or swimmer.
* Never anchor from the stern (back) of your boat-always at the bow (front).
* Stay with your boat on the upstream side if you capsize.
* Carry onboard a wearable life jacket for each person on a boat.
* Never boat alone. Boating safety increases with numbers.
* Never take your boat over a low-head dam.
* Carry a whistle that is audible for 1/2-mile.
May/June 2022
51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2022

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