The search for a missing Maryland boater with ties to Gaithersburg has been suspended after an extensive multi-agency effort covering thousands of square nautical miles off the coast of Ocean City.
According to Eastern Shore Undercover, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for 49-year-old Daniel Potter after approximately 20 hours of searching and covering roughly 2,539 square nautical miles, an area estimated to be about the size of Delaware. The case has been suspended pending further information.
The update comes after the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office announced that Potter’s vessel had been located and recovered offshore, but that Potter himself remained missing.
Potter was reported missing after family members became concerned when he disappeared on June 10. Authorities said he was believed to have access to a dark blue 2005 Hydra-Sport vessel that had been docked at Sunset Marina in West Ocean City. Investigators were initially unsure whether he had departed into the bay or the Atlantic Ocean.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office previously noted that Potter was not in possession of his cellular phone and was considered critically missing due to concerning statements reportedly made to family members. Authorities also said Potter has residences in both Ocean Pines and Gaithersburg.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Coast Guard participated in search efforts. Anyone with information regarding Potter’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1111 or their local law enforcement agency.
