What happened to Lonnie James Johnson?

Lonnie James Johnson, a 65-year-old boater from Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, went missing in the Chesapeake Bay on November 13, 2025. His unoccupied 23-foot boat was found the next day, sparking a search effort involving multiple agencies.

How many registered boats are there in Maryland?

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, there are around 212,000 registered boats in the state.

What were the main causes of boat accidents in Maryland in 2024?

The main cause of the 123 boat accidents reported in Maryland in 2024 was wakes, and most of these incidents occurred during the summer months between May and August.

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

Maryland Boater Vanishes in Chesapeake Bay, Extensive Search Ongoing

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.