On 05/30/09, information was received that the 'Geico Caveman Off-shore raceboat' had reported a marine casualty onboard and was headed to the USCG Station in Ocean City, MD., to meet with E.M.S. Personnel.  I immediately responded to Station Ocean City at which time I observed the Orange hulled 'Geico Caveman' pulling port side to a bulkhead inside the USCG basin, with several persons on board.  Upon securing my patrol vessel I was met by the operator of the 'Geico Caveman,' who identified himself as the operator1 and hereinafter referred to as OPERATOR1.  Upon speaking with OPERATOR1, he advised that he had been the Captain of this vessel that was taking 'Corporate Sponsors' out on recreational boat rides one day prior to the Off-shore powerboat races.  OPERATOR1 further advised that the entire trip was normal and that it wasn't until they had come back in from the ocean and were transitting through the Ocean City inlet, that the victim suffered an ankle injury when the vessel came down off of a 3-4' sea.  OPERATOR1 advised that it was nothing out of the ordinary and that they were traveling in a straight line when the victim was injured.  OPERATOR1 further advised that he believed the victim had actually been sitting down when the incident occurred.  Once inside the inlet, OPERATOR1 immediately had a call made to request E.M.S. assistance, and given their close proximity to the USCG Station, it was determined that he should respond directly to that location.  

     After meeting with OPERATOR1, I had occasion to meet with and speak to the victim, who was identified as Victim and hereinafter referred to as VICTIM.  Upon interviewing VICTIM, he advised that they had completed their entire off-shore run and were coming back inside the inlet when he felt a pain in his right ankle upon the boat coming down off of a sea.  VICTIM advised that he was sitting at the time but that he went down on his ankles with a lot of force.  At the time that I was speaking with VICTIM, he was already packaged by E.M.S. and was inside the Paramedic Unit.  VICTIM advised that during his trip on the 'Geico Caveman,' that at all times the Capt. (OPERATOR1) conducted himself and operated the vessel in an appropriate and professional manner.  VICTIM further advised that they had just recently been off-shore traveling at high speeds and making maneuvers and he had no problems, but it wasn't until they were back inside the inlet that his weight went down on his ankle wrong.  VICTIM was transported to the Atlantic General Hospital via an OC Paramedic Unit.

    The names and contact information was obtained from all the other occupants of the vessel, none of which reported any inappropriate actions on behalf of the vessel Captain.  Upon meeting the the Capt. (OPERATOR1) on 5/31/09, he advised that upon picking VICTIM up from the Hospital the prior evening, that it was determined that his ankle had in fact been broken and that there were torn ligaments and/or tendons, which would require future surgery to repair.
Ocean City                    