Home / Disasters and Accidents / Maryland Boater Vanishes in Chesapeake Bay, Extensive Search Ongoing
Maryland Boater Vanishes in Chesapeake Bay, Extensive Search Ongoing
17 Nov
Summary
- Boater Lonnie James Johnson, 65, reported missing on Nov. 14
- His 23-foot boat found unoccupied near Taylor's Island, Dorchester County
- Multiagency search effort involving Coast Guard, firefighters, and police
On November 14, 2025, authorities in Maryland launched a search for a missing boater, Lonnie James Johnson, 65, of Chesapeake Beach. Johnson was reported overdue the previous day after going out on the Chesapeake Bay.
Johnson's 23-foot white center console vessel was found unoccupied on the morning of November 14 near Taylor's Island in Dorchester County. Police had tracked the location of Johnson's cellphone to the area.
Dive and aviation teams from the U.S. Coast Guard, Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Maryland State Police, and other agencies are assisting in the ongoing search for Johnson. Authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, there are around 212,000 registered boats in the state. In 2024, there were 123 reported boat accidents, 54 of which resulted in injuries and 6 in fatalities. The main cause of these accidents was wakes, and most occurred during the summer months.
