Mariner Drowns After Falling Overboard 

A crew member on the mv. Mary Artie Brannon went overboard July 5, and his body was recovered less than two hours later. 

Perry County, Ind., Coroner Warren Taylor identified the man as Billy Ritchie, 50, of Aberdeen, Ohio. A pathologist ruled his cause of death as drowning, Taylor said, adding that Ritchie was painting a barge when he went overboard.

The mv. Mary Artie Brannon was traveling upriver on the Ohio when he went overboard about noon somewhere between Mile 675 and Mile 700, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer John Michelli of the 8th District office said. He was not wearing a personal flotation device, Michelli said, adding that an investigation into those circumstances would be forthcoming.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ law enforcement division and Perry County sheriff recovered his body at 1:40 p.m., Taylor said. The Meade County Fire Department also assisted in the search.  

The mv. Mary Artie Brannon is owned by Crounse Corporation of Paducah, Ky.