RedactedNarrative: On 08/30/20, at approximately 10:25 am, I was contacted by DNR Communications about a boat accident at Fairview Marina (1575 Fairview Beach Rd. Pasadena, MD 21122). The complainant advised that an approximately 22ft, white vessel with a Yamaha motor and blue cover struck a 48 ft Sundancer. The complainant was concerned that the operator of the striking vessel might be under the influence of alcohol.  
  
  At approximately 10:39 am, I arrived at the scene with a Sergeant on a marked patrol boat. I made contact with the operator of the striking vessel (MD 1824DC), later identified Operator 1 and his passenger. Operator 1 stated that he was crabbing in the area of Wall Cove, Rock Creek. While he was operating the vessel, he observed that a crab got loose. He left the steering wheel of the boat to retrieve the crab. The vessel was still in gear and, according to Operator 1, traveling at approximately 6 knots per hour. Passenger 1 was on the starboard side of the boat near the stern. While trying to retrieve the crab, a gust of wind pushed his boat into a piling at the marina and into a 48ft Sundancer's port side. The second vessel is a documented vessel with the United States Coast Guard. The name of the boat is "Journey Begins" with a hailing port of Pasadena, MD. No one was onboard the Sundancer during the collision.   
  
  While speaking with Operator 1, I observed that his eyes were glassy. I asked Operator 1 if he would be willing to take a field sobriety test. Operator 1 agreed, and I instructed him to leave his vessel. We walked approximately twenty-five feet to the parking lot. I did not observe Operator 1 stagger or walk in a manner that would suggest intoxication. I did not detect the odor of an alcoholic beverage from Operator 1. Operator 1 advised that he does not wear glasses or contacts. He stated that he has not experienced head trauma recently or has medical issues with his eyes. I administered Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. I detected zero clues. Based on these observations, I determined that Operator 1 was not under the influence of alcohol.
  
  Operator 1 went back to the boat, and I conducted a safety equipment check. Operator 1 did not have a boater safety card or a Type IV throwable PFD in his possession. After the inspection, I took pictures of the damage on the boat (see attached). I observed that the anchor roller and the pulpit were bent, and there was a gash in the rub rail on the starboard side. After I took pictures, Operator 1 and Passenger 1 agreed to write a written statement detailing the accident. Both statements matched the verbal statement that Operator 1 made when I first made contact. During this time, the vessel owner arrived at the marina. The owner stated that the damage to the boat was approximately $800. The owner does not have boat insurance. I advised Operator 1 and Passenger 1 that they were free to go but that I would meet with Operator 1 later to issue citations.   
  
  I then made contact with another witness. This witness advised that he would give a verbal statement but would not provide a written statement. The witness observed the accident from his boat at Fairview Marina. His account of the accident is similar to Operator 1's, but he advised that Operator 1 was traveling approximately 10 knots per hour.
  
  I spoke with a manager at the marina. The manager advised that the damage to the piling was about $2500. I took pictures of the piling (see attached). I observed a gash surround by a blue scuff mark from the boat that Operator 1 was operating on the piling. I also observed that the piling was loose. The manager advised this was from the collision with Operator 1.
  
  I then spoke with the Sundancer owners. The owners advised that they were at home during the time of the accident. The Sundancer owner boarded our patrol vessel to observe damage to his boat. The owner pointed to damage to the fiberglass and the rub rail. I took pictures of the damage. The owner advised that Fairview Marina would repair the vessel. The owner suggested that repairs would cost approximately $700.
  
  At approximately 12:30 pm, officers met the complainant and he provided a written statement. Complainant advised that Operator 1 left the wheel while the boat was still in gear. He reported that Operator 1 was traveling about 25 knots per hour.
  
  At approximately 04:30 pm, I met with Operator 1. Operator 1 advised that he was negligent, leaving the vessel unmanned to retrieve the crab. He also stated that it wasn't the wind that caused the collision. He believes that the crash was caused because he was standing on the starboard side with Passenger 1. The weight on the starboard side of the vessel changed the course of direction. Operator 1 was issued citations for the following:
  
  8.18.01.05 B : Negligent Operation of a Vessel (MAX 1st/500; 2nd/1000 and/or 1 year )
  8.18.01.04: Failure to Obey Navigation Rules Rule #5 Failure to Maintain Proper Lookout (MAX 1st/500; 2nd/1000 and/or 1 year)
  8.18.01.04: Failure to Obey Navigation Rules Rule #6 Proceed at a Safe Speed to Avoid Collision (MAX 1st/500; 2nd/1000 and/or 1 year)
  08.18.04.03: Failure to Have Required Safety Equipment Type IV Throwable PFD (MAX 1st/500; 2nd/1000 and/or 1 year)
  NR 8-712.2(a)(2)(i) Failure to Possess Certificate of Boating Safety Education while operating a vessel (MAX 1st/25; 2nd/500)
  All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. I recommend that this case be closed.
  