Boaters Killed on Potomac River Identified as Georgia Residents

FAIRVIEW BEACH, VA — Authorities have identified the two men killed in a boating accident Saturday at the Potomac River Radar Run.

According to Maryland Natural Resources Police, the boaters were identified as James A. Melley, 49, of Buford, Georgia, and Garth Thomas Tagge, 61, of Atlanta, Georgia.

Melley was driving the 36-foot catamaran and Tagge was the throttleman, according to police.

The wreck early Saturday afternoon was in an area of the river near Fairview Beach in King George County, Virginia. Maryland police monitor that part of the river.

The men were reportedly doing a time trial and lost control of the boat, according to WTOP. During a run earlier in the day, they had reportedly hit 170 mph.

Organizers of the Potomac River Radar Run said in a statement that they were praying for the families of the men and asked that any video of the fatal wreck not be shared on social media.

Speedboat Magazine noted that Melley and Tagge "ran their 2002 36' Skater to a speed of 194 at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in August."

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