ANNAPOLIS—The Anne Arundel County Fire Department and the Baltimore City Fire Department have volunteered to assist the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) in their ongoing search for Philip Merrill who was reported missing Saturday, June 10, after his sailboat was found near Breezy Point in Calvert County. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department has dispatched four personnel, one boat, one helicopter, and one side scan sonar to assist with the recovery efforts. The Baltimore City Fire Department has dispatched 18 personnel and one side scan sonar. The United States Coast Guard concluded their search support on Monday, June 12.
Currently, there are seven boats assisting with the recovery mission.
* 4 NRP boats are conducting surface searches;
* 1 NRP boat is conducting a side scan sonar using NRP equipment;
* 1 NRP boat conducting a side scan sonar using Baltimore City Fire Department equipment; and,
* 1 Anne Arundel County Fire Department boat conducting a side scan sonar using Anne Arundel County equipment.
There are a number of civilian volunteers conducting surface searches, including representatives from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Additionally, aviation units from the NRP and Anne Arundel County Government are also being utilized today. Weather permitting, one helicopter from each organization will conduct two flights, each.
To date, approximately nine square miles of the approximately 100-square mile search area have been searched with the side scan sonar, a device used to scan the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay. DNR will release information as it becomes available. NRP will continue their recovery efforts until Mr. Merrill is found.
In related news, the Merrill family has opened a BLOG to record the community's thoughts on the loss of Mr. Merrill. According to information posted on the BLOG, the "weblog is for communications between the editorial staff, family, readers, community and friends. Reflections and memories of Philip Merrill are welcome." The BLOG is located at http://www.capitalonline.com/merrillblog.html. Contributions can be sent via email to merrillblog@capitalgazette.com.