3 Boaters Drown In Under 24 Hours

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It was a deadly weekend out on the waters here in Maryland. Three boaters have drowned in less than 24 hours. Thousands of people go out on the water for recreation and these latest deaths have officials very concerned.

Ava-joye Burnett has more on the dangers in the waters.

More than 200,000 boats are registered here in the state. The summer has just begun and it's already been very deadly.

Tragedy in Frederick. A boat capsized Sunday afternoon. The two men on board are now presumed dead. The night before in Anne Arundel County, 47-year-old Joseph Rossi jumped off a boat trying to get a hat and he drowned.

So far this year, there have been five boating-related fatalities. In 2015, there were 21 boating deaths---a 20 year record.

"You can see the water is running very rough. It is very fast; you have undercurrents," said an official.

The Department of Natural Resources says there are more than 7,700 miles of shoreline in the state of Maryland. For an experienced boater, they know things can change in a split second.

"That quick---because you panic, you expend all your energy. Next thing you know, you're going under," said Irv Becker.

Boaters at Anchor Bay Marina constantly have safety on their minds, especially since tragedy has hit close to home.

"I had a friend that passed away years ago---experienced boater, jumped in the water without a jacket. The currents took the boat away from where he was and he drowned and they found him three days later," said Becker. "It's no joke. I mean, the water is serious business."

Rescuers were back out on the water in Frederick County Monday looking for those boaters. Their bodies have not been found.