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Recovery Teams Searching For Missing Boater Near Harford-Cecil Line

PORT DEPOSIT, Md. (WJZ) -- A grim reality in the search for a 22-year-old boater who went missing on the Susquehanna River in Port Deposit Tuesday night.

Tracey Leong has more.

The efforts have now changed from rescue to recovery due to the amount of time the boater has been missing.

Crews are actively searching for 22-year-old Jacob Nolan, who fell out of his canoe on the Susquehanna River Tuesday evening.

"Using electronic measures to do our searching, the dog can help pinpoint a scent," said Lt. Nick Powell, Natural Resources Police.

Nolan and his friend 22-year-old Matthew Trainor were in a 15 foot canoe near Lee's Landing in Port Deposit when their canoe flipped. Neither of them were wearing life jackets.

Police say Trainor was able to call for help. Crews pulled him to safety, but Nolan was nowhere in sight.

Rescue crews facing several challenges during the search for Nolan.

"Conditions are windy and waters are rough and we don't have a good location," said Powell.

The water is hazardous -- even for experienced boaters.

"They can be really dangerous if people don't realize the rocks that are out here, and when they open up the dam, the gates to the dam, the current out here is horrendous," said Linda Pile, boater.

Pile frequently boats on the Susquehanna River and says the treacherous conditions can have deadly consequences.

"It's sad. I've had friends that have drowned in this river," Pile said.

Police say it's not uncommon to help boaters out in these types of waters. This past weekend, they rescued seven boaters and assisted more than a dozen.

No word how long Natural Resources Police will look for the boater.

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