Charles County fire and rescue personnel assisted six occupants of a stranded vessel in Mattawoman Creek on August 17, 2025, using specialized equipment to navigate shallow waters near the old footbridge. Fireboat 8 and Airboat 8 from the Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department responded to the distress call, ensuring a safe evacuation to Slavin’s dock without injuries or emergent issues.
The incident unfolded Saturday evening when responders located the boat grounded in shallow sections of the creek, a tributary of the Potomac River in western Charles County. Fireboat 8 made initial contact with the occupants, confirming no immediate medical needs, but could not approach due to insufficient water depth. Airboat 8, designed for such conditions, was deployed to extract the six individuals and transport them to Slavin’s dock in Indian Head. All units returned to service following the operation.
Airboat 8 serves as a unique asset in Charles County, capable of operating in very shallow waters where traditional boats cannot. It has supported swift water and ice rescues across the region, though it sees less frequent use than other resources. The Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department, based at 7035 Poorhouse Road in Marbury, maintains this equipment as part of its marine division, which includes Fireboat 8 and other specialized units for water emergencies.
Mattawoman Creek, stretching about 20 miles through Charles and Prince George’s counties, features tidal sections popular for fishing, kayaking and boating. Its shallow areas, particularly upstream near the old footbridge—a remnant of historical crossings—often pose navigation challenges, especially at low tide. The creek’s average depth in some spots drops below 2 feet, contributing to grounding incidents. Local authorities advise mariners to check tidal charts, as the area experiences fluctuations influenced by the Potomac River.
In May 2025, Charles County responders conducted a swift water rescue on the Potomac River after a boat capsized, reuniting a father and son using similar marine assets. Earlier, in September 2023, search efforts in Mattawoman Creek recovered the body of Marvin Harris, who entered the water to save his son near the creek’s mouth. That case involved multiple agencies, including the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, highlighting collaborative responses in the area.
Charles County’s volunteer fire and EMS organizations handle dozens of water-related calls annually, given the county’s 120 miles of shoreline along the Potomac and Patuxent rivers. The Tenth District station, designated as Company 8, operates Engine 82, Tanker 8 and marine units like Airboat 8, which features a flat-bottom design propelled by an aircraft-style engine for maneuverability in marshes and low-water zones. Acquired in the early 2000s, the airboat has proven essential in ice rescues during winters, such as operations on frozen creeks where victims fall through thin ice.
As boating season continues, authorities urge reporting distress via VHF Channel 16 or 911, allowing swift deployment of assets like Airboat 8. This Mattawoman Creek boat rescue demonstrates the value of specialized resources in protecting lives on local waters.
