Search For Missing Havre De Grace Boater Enters Day 3 As High Winds Hamper Crews

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Search crews returned to the Susquehanna River on Saturday for a third day of searching for an 18-year-old Havre de Grace man whose boat was found capsized near Garrett Island, as high winds created dangerous conditions on the water.

Mark Everett Coates III has been missing since Wednesday evening, when he launched his 10-foot aluminum jon boat from the Water Street Boat Ramp in Havre de Grace, according to Maryland Natural Resources Police.

In a Saturday update, police said search operations had resumed, but high winds made conditions unsafe for vessels other than those operated by rescue teams.

Aviation resources were expected to assist throughout Saturday. Police also restricted drone flights in the search area to law enforcement and emergency responders.

Related: Search For Missing 18-Year-Old Boater Continues Near Havre De Grace

Coates was last known to be operating his boat near the Hatem Memorial Bridge, which carries U.S. 40 over the Susquehanna River, around 5 p.m. Wednesday.

His boat was discovered capsized near Garrett Island Thursday morning, prompting a search involving multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Susquehanna Hose Company, Harford County Emergency Services, Harford County Sheriff's Office and Chesapeake Search Dogs.

Coates' mother described him as an avid fisherman who loved spending his days on the water, often chasing sunrises and sunsets, according to WJZ.

The disappearance has also shaken members of the Havre de Grace community.

"It's like, wow, we actually live right on the water, so we were able to see the boats go up and back and forth searching. It's just sad," resident John Himelright told WJZ.

Himelright, who said he did not personally know the Coates family, told the station the disappearance reminded him of the dangers boaters can encounter on the river.

Coates was last seen wearing a chartreuse long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans.

Authorities have asked boaters to stay clear of search operations between the Tydings Memorial Bridge, which carries Interstate 95, and the Amtrak railroad bridge.

Anyone who may have seen Coates or his boat, or who has information about his whereabouts since Wednesday, is asked to contact Maryland Natural Resources Police at 410-260-8888.

The search remains ongoing.