ON 7-6-13 AT ABOUT 2PM, THE OPERATOR OF THE LISTED BOAT REPORTS TO MPD HARBOR PATROL THAT HE WAS OPERATING THE BOAT ON THE POTOMAC RIVER NEAR THE VIRGINIA SHORE LINE BETWEEN GRAVELY POINT AND THE 14TH STREET BRIDGE COMPLEX.  THE STERN LINE FROM HIS BOAT BECAME IN TANGLED IN HIS MOTOR PROPELLER.  HE STATED, THE MOTOR TURNED OFF AND  HE TRIED TO FREE THE LINE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FREE THE LINE, HIS BOAT BEGAN TAKING ON WATER DUE TO THE INAPPROPRIATE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION. THE BOAT FILLED WITH WATER,CAPSIZED AND SUNK. ALL PASSENGERS ON BOARD WERE TOSSED INTO THE WATER AND THEY  ATTEMPTED TO SWIM TO SHORE.  FOUR WITNESSES RIDING BIKES NEAR THE SHORELINE  HERD THE PEOPLE IN THE WATER YELLING FOR HELP.  ALL FOUR WITNESSES JUMPED INTO THE RIVER TO RENDER ASSISTANCE.  MPD HARBOR UNIT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND PULLED THREE OF THE 4 PERSONS PLUS ONE RESCUER INTO THEIR BOAT.  ALL OTHER PEOPLE MADE IT TO THE SHORE SAFELY.  ONE BOAT PASSENGEr WAS TAKEN TO VIRGINIA HOSPITAL CENTER BY THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AMBULANCE FOR CHEST PAINS AND WAS LATER RELEASED. THE BOAT OPERATOR RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VESSEL AND WAS ON HIS FIRST VOYAGE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO OPERATOR INATTENTION AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE.
Washington