Memorial Held For 25-Year-Old Eastern Shore Boater Presumed Dead
SALISBURY, Md. (WJZ)-- After seven days and no sign of a missing boater, a 25-year-old Eastern Shore man is presumed dead. He was one of three people on board a sailboat that capsized near Sandy Point last weekend.
Andrea Fujii has more on the memorial his family held for him Friday night.
The 25-year-old was celebrating his anniversary with his girlfriend when the boat they were on capsized.
She survived and he's still missing.
A Salisbury church is filled with mourners for Tyler Cordrey from Eden.
"They're all grieving, they're all sad," said Cordrey's friend Brad Kuhn. "What else is there to say?"
Cordery was on board a sailboat with his 25-year-old girlfriend Taylor Rogers of Salisbury and 46-year-old Daniel Denike of Laurel when the boat capsized near Sandy Point last Saturday afternoon.
Rogers and Denike were rescued. Rogers was treated for hypothermia. Denike later died at the hospital.
And Cordrey's body has yet to be found.
Authorities say all three were wearing life vests. But police say no one could survive long in the 48-degree water.
Rogers' 911 call captures part of the frightening ordeal.
911 Operator: "Hello. They're off of Sandy Point, their boat's been capsized, they're on the water. Ma'am, are you hanging onto your boat?"
You can hear the cries for help before the line goes dead.
For days, Cordery's family helped in the search but found nothing. Nearly a week later, they're now saying goodbye.
"It's just touching how many people showed up," Kuhn said. "I drove here for three hours to get here, it was worth it."
Police say they will continue to search the frigid water for Cordery and his dog, who was also on board with him.
Natural Resources Police tell 'The Annapolis Capital' a heavy gust of wind caused the sailboat to capsize.
