A Partnership Of Love, Loss And Hope

Something positive has emerged from a tragic boating accident, and TowBoatUS Kent & Knapps Narrows, which serves Maryland's Eastern Shore on Chesapeake Bay, is playing a role in raising safety awareness in hopes of preventing another heartbreaking day on the water.

Hannah Ash, 23, of Maryland, died in September 2020, after the 18-foot bowrider she was aboard hit a sandbar at low tide, ejecting her from the boat. "An exceptionally low tide caused by the full moon left the water in the Corsica River lower than normal that day," explains Sarah Lawrence, towing captain for TowBoatUS Kent & Knapps Narrows who also does its marketing.

Hannah's family created a nonprofit in her name that focuses on boating safety. Hannah's Marine Awareness project seeks to remind boaters to "check the tide before you ride" and to encourage boaters to use safety checklists before departing.

The nonprofit's first event was on Memorial Day 2021 at the Kent Narrows Boat Ramp. TowBoatUS Kent Narrows was also planning a safety event to give away life jackets and promote on-water safety. Lawrence and the crew befriended Hannah's father, Dave Ash, and quickly recognized their shared vision could form a boating safety partnership to create a greater outreach. The two organizations have since partnered at numerous boat shows and events. The mission? To educate and keep boaters safe.

The next phase involves creating metal signs to be placed at boat ramps. Each sign will have two QR codes — one that brings up local tide information, and the other links to TowBoatUS Kent & Knapps Narrows' boating safety resource page. Visit inspiredbyhannah.org to learn more.