On 06/07/09 at approximately 1230 hrs., Cpl received a report of a boat accident in Knapps Narrows. The report came from M&R Management (contractor for the bridge tenders for State Highway). Cpl arrived at Knapps Narrows to find the sailboat "Impulse" tied to the bulkhead of the Narrows Restaurant. Cpl made contact with the owner of the vessel who stated that he was traveling through Knapps Narrows. When he was approaching the bridge, the bridge was up and other vessels were passing through. Operator stated that he was contacted by the bridge tender by VHF Radio ( ch. 13) and was asked, "what is your intention?" Operator replied, "To come through." Operator stated that the bridge tender replied, "Step on it, I need to close the bridge." Operator stated that he gave his vessel the full throttle, which usually runs his vessel at about 6 knots. Operator stated that as he came to the bridge ( he could not see the bridge because of his bimini top) he struck the bridge, his bow went up, water came into his cockpit, the mast snapped and fell onto the bimini. The vessel then settled, and Operator was able to find safe port next to the bridge at The Narrows Restaurant.

Cpl then proceeded to the bridge tenders quarters and contacted the Bridge Tender for Knapps Narrows. Tender stated that at about 1212 hrs., he was contacted by a motor boat "Lady Peggy", by phone request a bridge opening. The vessel "Lady Peggy"  and a second vessel "Flat Broke" were on the west side of the bridge. When the bridge was opened the two vessels to the west proceeded through the bridge, on the east side of the bridge were three sail boats, the first boat past through the bridge, the second vessel was sitting horizontal to the bridge and was some distance back and according to tender did not appear to be approaching the bridge. Tender started the process of lowering the bridge. Tender stated that the bridge is fullyu up right at 71 degrees, as the bridge was coming down, he saw sailing vessel "Impulse" coming at a high rate of speed. "Impulse" made contact with the bridge when it was at 37 degrees, at which time, Tender stopped the bridge from coming down and raised it. Tender stated that he did not make any radio contact with any vessel during this whole raising and lowering sequence.

On 6/08/09 Cpl made contact with a subject by telephone. Subject stated that he was in a sailing vessel "Spell Bound" which was behind the sailing vessel vessel "Impulse" on the east side of the bridge. Subject stated that when the bridge was up, a sailing vessel near the bridge went through, and the sailing vessel "Impulse" was sitting still. Subject got on the VHF radio (Ch. 13) and asked the sailing vessel "Impulse" what his intentions were. The vessel "impulse" replied, "To come through"' Subject replied, "you had better step on it, the bridge is closing." Subject stated at that point the vessel "Impulse" began moving at a high rate of speed, and as the bridge was being lowered, struck the bridge.
Tilghman                      