Maryland Department of Natural Resources officers and partner agencies carried out a complex and highly coordinated rescue on January 31, 2026, saving six stranded waterfowl hunters from a disabled boat trapped by ice on the Nanticoke River. The operation, documented in dramatic thermal-imaging video, highlighted the skill, adaptability, and inter-agency cooperation required to respond to emergencies under extreme winter conditions.

Natural Resources Police and Wildlife and Heritage Service staff were dispatched after reports that a vessel carrying six hunters had become disabled in icy waters. Although local fire and rescue crews responded quickly, they were unable to reach the stranded boaters due to thick ice and frozen boat ramps that made the river unnavigable by conventional rescue equipment.

The DNR Aviation Unit arrived on scene and successfully located the disabled vessel and all six occupants using aerial reconnaissance. From above, the helicopter illuminated the stranded boat with its onboard spotlight, confirming the hunters’ condition and helping coordinate the next phase of the rescue. With worsening wind conditions and ice-covered waters, responders carefully assessed the safest method to extract the group.

Additional assets were deployed, including Maryland State Police’s Trooper 6 helicopter and the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service’s airboat. After evaluating the risks, crews determined that an airboat rescue would be safer than attempting a helicopter hoist in gusty conditions over ice-covered water. The decision underscored the emphasis on minimizing risk to both rescuers and those in distress.

The airboat was launched from a nearby campground parking lot, an unconventional but necessary solution given the frozen river access points. Crews completed the rescue in two trips, safely transporting all six individuals from the stranded vessel to shore. No injuries were reported, and the operation concluded successfully despite the challenging environment.

DNR officials praised the precision and teamwork displayed throughout the response, emphasizing the seamless coordination between Natural Resources Police, the Wildlife and Heritage Service, and the Maryland State Police. The agency also used the incident to remind boaters to exercise extreme caution during ongoing icy conditions, noting that Maryland’s waterfowl hunting season officially ended on January 31.

The rescue serves as a powerful example of preparedness and cooperation under pressure, demonstrating how trained personnel and specialized equipment can overcome severe weather and terrain to protect lives.