RedactedNarrative: On September 12, 2020 at 1625 hours I responded to a rental company in reference to a vessel accident after the fact.  No injuries were reported, and all subjects were back at rental company.  Upon arrival I made contact with the tour guide who stated the following.
  
  Tour Guide 1 stated that on September 12, 2020 at approximately 1600 hours he was leading a tour to the riding area located in the Sinepuxent Bay.  Tour Guide 1 stated that a subject later identified as Operator 1 began to come out of the line, in the area of the airport on the Sinepuxent Bay.  Tour Guide 1 stated that he began to turn around to correct Operator 1, however by that time Operator 1 collided with another rider identified as Operator 2.  Tour Guide 1 did not see the collision.  Tour Guide 1 stated the neither Operator 1 nor Operator 2 had any injuries, however both personal water craft received substantial damage.  Tour Guide 1 escorted Operator 2 and Operator 1 back to dock and notified the police of the incident.  
  
      I spoke with Operator 1 who stated the following.  Operator 1 stated that on September 12, 2020 he began a personal watercraft tour with the rental company.  Operator 1 stated that while being escorted to the riding area, he began to wait for his friend who was falling behind.  Operator 1 stated that his friend caught up, and Operator 1 stated he attempted to get back in the line.  Operator 1 stated that while doing so another vessel was in close proximity to him, and this caused him to get nervous, so he joined the line at speed.  Operator 1 stated that he collided with Operator 2, However Operator 1 stated the collision happened so fast he does not recall much.  Operator 1 stated he did not receive any injuries in this collision.  Operator 1 stated that he was wearing a life jacket and lanyard at the time of the collision.  Operator 1 stated that he had less then 10 hours experience operating vessels, and his boater safety certificate was obtained from the rental company prior to the tour. Operator 1 did not consult the weather prior to the tour, and Operator 1 estimated his speed at the time of collision to be approximately 25-30 MPH based on the digital speedometer on the watercraft he was operating.  
  
      I then spoke to Operator 2 who stated the following.  Operator 2 stated that on September 12, 2020 he began a personal watercraft tour with the rental company.  Operator 2 stated that he was being escorted to the riding area, and he began to fall behind.  Operator 2 stated that he observed Operator 1 waiting for him up ahead.  Operator 2 stated that when he caught up, he observed Operator 1 attempting to re enter the line.  Operator 2 stated that it appeared a vessel that was in close proximity to Operator 1 made him nervous.  Operator 2 stated that Operator 1 then collided with him.  Operator 2 stated the collision happened so fast he does not recall much.  Operator 2 stated he did not receive any injuries in this collision.  Operator 2 stated that he was wearing a life jacket and lanyard at the time of the collision.  Operator 2 stated that he had less then 10 hours experience operating vessels, and his boater safety certificate was obtained from the rental company prior to the tour. Operator 2 did not consult the weather prior to the tour, and Operator 2 estimated his speed at the time of collision to be approximately 20-25 MPH based on the digital speedometer on the watercraft he was operating.
      Vessel one which Operator 1 was operating is described as a 2015 Yamaha VR1000 Maryland registration 6037CR, this vessel had all the proper safety equipment.  This vessel was nine feet long three feet wide and drafted 4 inches and was constructed out of fiberglass.  This vessel was powered by a 110 H.P. inboard engine that was original to the vessel.  The damage to the vessel is described as heavy fiberglass damage to the port side of the vessel, along with the front cowl receiving substantial damage.  The employees of the rental company estimated the damage to this vessel to be approximately $7000.00.  This vessel according to the staff of the rental company is a total loss.  
      Vessel two which Operator 2 was operating is described as a 2017 Yamaha Waver runner Maryland registration 5668LB, this vessel had all the proper safety equipment.  The vessel was nine feet long and three feet wide and drafted 4 inches and was constructed out of fiberglass.  The vessel was powered by a 100 H.P. inboard engine that was original to the vessel.  The damage to this vessel is described a moderate fiberglass damage to the lower port side of the vessel.  The employees of the rental company estimated the damage to this vessel to be approximately $1000.00.
      At the time of the collision it was daytime with an ambient air temperature of 84 degrees.  There was a sustained southern wind at approximately 10 MPH, with a water temperature of 76 degrees.  At the time of the collision the boat traffic in the area was low.  
      Neither Operator 1 nor Operator 2 was able to provide any details of how the collision occurred.  Due to the fact the damage to both vessels were on the port side of the vessel, I believe that the collision was an angle collision.  Meaning that when Operator 1 was rejoining the line he was heading in a northerly direction, while the line was heading in a southernly direction.  I believe that Operator 1 picked up too much speed while attempting to rejoin the line and due to his lack of experience he let go of the throttle.  This caused the vessel to lose steerage and Operator 1 could not control the vessel and collided with Operator 2.  Further Operator 1 was traveling higher then 6 knots while within 100 feet another vessel while operating a personal water craft.  Based on the actions of Operator 1 and being at fault in an accident with substantial damage I opted to cite Operator 1.  Operator 1 was issued two citations, one for failing to obey navigation rules, and operating a personal watercraft higher then 6 knots while within 100 feet of another vessel.  
      All above events occurred in Worcester County, Maryland.
  