Each year there are thousands of motor, sailing and personnel watercraft vessels that for recreational purposes enjoy the waterways of the Maryland Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Be it for pleasure or for work these vessels are subject to many obstacles that are associated with boating. One aspect of this that is often overlooked is what occurs when something goes arye on the water. This is a topic that no one would ever want to contemplate, but unfortunately accidents happen far too often. Have you ever questioned what happens when a mayday is dispatched over VHF channel 16, or who comes to your aide when 911 is called from you vessel in the middle of the Bay?
Luckily there are a group of dedicated people that will lend you aide during your time of need. Throughout the state of Maryland there are many rescue teams that are specially trained to help vessels needing assistance. One such team is based out of Baltimore County.
The Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Department has the only Marine Emergency Team in the Baltimore area. This team is comprised of about 35 members and 5 marine vessels. Each member of this team is trained for all worst case scenarios that they may be faced with. This includes training in dealing with everything from vessel fires to boat related accidents and even medical emergencies that may be experienced while boaters are out on the water.
The Bowleys Quarters Marine Emergency Team runs with 4 marine units and 2 land apparatus. These three marine units also possess firefighting capabilities.
Marine Unit 216- Is an 18 foot Jones Brothers center console, making this boat the smallest fire- rescue vessel in the fleet. Marine Unit 216 has the capacity of holding three crew members. This vessel also has a 350 GPM fire pump, and is equipped with a GPS chart, VHF radio, Sonar system, and basic life support equipment. 216 is powered by a 115 4-stroke Yamaha motor. This vessel is trailered year round in case it may be special requested to local in-land water areas which include the Loch Raven and Pretty Boy reservoirs’.
Marine Unit 217- Is a 23 foot Jones Brothers center console. This vessel is capable of holding 2 patients, one back boarded, while carrying 2 to 3 crew members. 217 has a 550 gpm fire pump and carries several feet of hose for firefighting purposes. MU217 is also equipped with a Raymarine E-Series GPS chart/Radar/Digital Depth finder, Icom VHF radio, Lowrance Structure Scan Sonar, Flir First Mate Thermal imaging Capablities and basic life support equipment. This unit is powered by a 150 4-stroke Yamaha motor. 217 is docked at Beacon Light Marina (right across the street from Station 21) in the Seneca Creek for the boating season, but like 216 can be special requested year around. This vessel is the primary response unit for Seneca Creek as well as all points in the northern bay.
Marine Unit 219- This is the newest addition to the MET Team fleet. 219 is a 1997 30 foot Grady White which was purchased in the fall of 2006. Recently this unit was placed in service in June of 2007. This vessel has a 500 GPM fire pump, with several feet of fire hose on board and carries 30 gallons of foam on board. This unit is equipped with a state-of-the-art naviagation system, including GPS chart, Radar, High definition sonar, Lowrance Structure Scan Sonar, VHF radio, and a PirateCom headset system. MU 219, like the other marine units, is equipped with the basic life support equipment. 219 can hold up to two back boarded patients inside the cabin (which is equipped with an on board wash room) as well as multiple crew and patients on the deck, which can be enclosed due to foul weather. This unit is powered by twin 250 4-stroke Yamaha motors. Marine unit 219 responds from the Long Beach Marina located in Frog Mortar Creek and is the primary response unit to Bowleys Point and all points in the southern bay. This unit also can respond to the middle bay area during rough sea conditions.
Boat 210- This 10 foot inflatable zodiac boat can be stored on top any rescue unit. Its primary use is for swift water as well as limited water access areas.
Flood Evacuation 210- This 16 foot flat bottom, open floor boat is used for transporting large amounts of people. This unit is also, used to move large amounts of harbor booms used for hazardous material spills.
Squad 213- Is a 1995 Simion- Duplex rescue squad. This unit carries additional water rescue equipment which includes an additional stokes basket (Marine Unit 219 carries one as well). The Squad also has the capacity to transport additional man power, when needed, to any emergency scene
Special Unit 214- This special unit is 2004 Dodge Pick-up which is the primary tow vehicle for Marine Unit 216. The special unit also carries around 60- gallons of foam and additional equipment for the Marine Emergency Team.
The Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Marine Emergency Team responds to all emergency incidents with-in the upper Chesapeake Bay. Our first- due territory includes all of the Baltimore County waters. This includes various points such-as Hart-Miller Island and Poole’s Island. The team is also requested by Harford, Anne Arundel, Kent, Queens Anne, and Cecil Counties as well as Baltimore City. The Marine Emergency Team responds to various emergency calls such as house fires, boat fires, vessels in distress, vessels taking on water and much more. The team does not tow other vessels under normal weather conditions and they work in accordance with all commercial tow vessels in the area. The team also works with NRP, Baltimore County Marine Police, APG police and fire, Kent county fire, North Point- Edgemere Volunteer Fire Company, the Coast Guard, and many other units.
The Marine Emergency Team receives all distress calls either through 911dispatch or through VHF channel 16. The team members are trained to respond any location they are needed during all types of weather conditions. The Marine Emergency Team was established to serve all the residents of Maryland who enjoy cruising the Chesapeake Bay in their boats.
