Recovery teams have located the body of one of the 2 missing boaters in Aquia Creek near Stafford, MD

UPDATE: July 9,  2015 12:41 p.m.: WASHINGTON — Recovery teams have located the body of one of the missing boaters. Authorities have not yet released information about the identity of the boater located. 

UPDATE: July 9,  2015 12:41 p.m.: WASHINGTON — Recovery teams have located the body of one of the missing boaters.

Authorities have not yet released information about the identity of the boater located.

EARLIER: July 9,  2015 9:20 a.m.: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard launched a major search on the Potomac River for two boaters from Stafford, Virginia.

The Coast Guard is looking for Charles Zintner and Melissa Smarr of Stafford, VIrginia after a boat they were supposed to be on was found empty in the Potomac River. (Courtesy Coast Guard)

The Landmark Yacht Club reported that Charles Zintner, 58, and Melissa Smarr, 55, were overdue and called the Coast Guard around 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Searchers have been using helicopters and boats, and agencies from Maryland and Virginia have been assisting.

“A crew from Maryland State Police, aboard a helicopter, were the first to find the 19-foot boat that the couple was on,” said Coast Guard spokesperson David Marin.

The boat was anchored in Aquia Creek near Stafford, about one mile from the yacht club.  Nobody was on board.

“We’re looking to see if anybody has any further information as to where the two boaters might be,” Marin said.

Anyone with information about where the couple is should call the Coast Guard at 410-576-2525.


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Coast Guard searching for missing boaters on Potomac River

July 9th, 2015

Missing boaters Charles Zinter and Melissa Smarr.

BALTIMORE , MD

The Coast Guard, along with state and local agencies, are searching Thursday for two missing boaters near Stafford, Va. 

Missing are Charles Zintner, 58, white male with dark hair, and Melissa Smarr, 55, white female with blond hair, both from Stafford.

Coast Guard Sector Baltimore watchstanders received a call from the Stafford County Sherriff’s office at approximately 11 p.m., Wednesday reporting the two overdue boaters.

A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Washington and a crew aboard a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., launched to search for the couple along with personnel from the Maryland State Police, Stafford County Sherriff’s Department, Charles County Sherriff’s Department and Maryland Natural Resources Police.

A crew aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter was the first to find the 19-foot boat the couple was last seen aboard, anchored in the Potomac River approximately one mile from the Landmark Yacht Club in Aquia Creek.

The Coast Guard Crew from Station Washington arrived on scene and found no one aboard.

Personnel from the Landmark Yacht Club reported the couple as overdue.
The Coast Guard is asking for anyone with information on the boater’s whereabouts to please contact the Sector Baltimore Command Center at 410-576-2525.