Fairview Beach, VA – Two Georgia men died after the vessel they were traveling in during a boat race went out of control on the Potomac River, police reported. The incident happened Saturday, Oct. 15 near Fairview Beach, VA.
Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) identified the boaters as James A. Melley, 49 of Buford, GA and Garth Thomas Tagge, 61 of Atlanta. Melley was the pilot of the 36-foot catamaran and Tagge was the throttleman.
Investigators said Melley and Tagge were doing a time trial when the vessel went out of control, ejecting them. Police investigating the incident have yet to determine how fast the boat may have been going when the incident occurred.
In addition to NRP personnel, emergency crews from several surrounding jurisdictions—including Charles County—were dispatched to the accident area.