RedactedNarrative: On 07/11/19 at approximately 1145 hours I, Cpl, responded to a call for a sailboat that struck the Kent Narrows drawbridge. I arrived in the area shortly after 1200 hours and I located the vessel in question secured to the fuel dock at Piney Narrows Marina in Chester, MD. The vessel was later found to be documented under the name "Sea Ya" with a home port of Mays Landing, NJ. The boat was a 37 foot Beneteau auxiliary sailboat with a single diesel engine. The mast had separated at the base and was lying on top of the vessel along with all the related rigging equipment. I took several photos (see attached) of the vessel from different angles. 
  
       I met with the operator. There were five people on board the vessel including his wife and two daughters. Another male subject was also on board. According to Operator, the vessel was heading north approaching the Kent Narrows drawbridge around 1130 hours and as the center span was opening the top of the mast and part of the rigging struck the bridge. The mast broke at the base and fell across the boat without injuring any of the crew. Operator told me he was the operator and after the accident occurred he guided the vessel to the fuel dock at the marina. The bridge tender reported the accident to DNR police dispatch. A state highway administration worker arrived on location to inspect the bridge for damage and he did not find any. The victim of the accident is the State of Maryland.
  
       The vessel was rented from Haven Charters located in Rock Hall, MD. Operator told me he had rented the vessel the previous day and navigated to St. Michaels harbor in Talbot County. He was on the return trip to Rock Hall when the accident occurred. Operators told me he thought the bridge was fully open when he tried to traverse through and simply misjudged the distance as well as the strong current. The current was running north at the time of the incident. I asked Operator if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages any time prior and he responded "no". I did not get any clues as to possible alcohol or drug usage. Operator told me he had contacted the Charter company and they were planning to send personnel to the site to remove the mast and rigging from the boat so that it could be towed back to Rock Hall. The other four subjects were transported back to Haven Charters via an "UBER" ride. I gave Operator my contact information in case he had any questions about the incident at a later date.
  
       All events occurred in Queen Anne's County, MD.
  