RedactedNarrative: On 07/07/2022 at approximately 1705 hours, I, Ofc. of the Maryland Natural Resources Police was dispatched to a report of a vessel taking on water in the Patapsco River outside of Sparrows Point. US Coast Guard and the local fire departments were already made aware of the situation. I responded to the area onboard NRP 879 and located the 38 ft white and black in color Regal cabin boat in the main stem of the Patapsco River near the green number 12 channel marker in the Brewerton Channel outside of Sparrows Point (exact location 39.19684 N, 76.49864 W, Anne Arundel County, MD). US Coast guard small response boat 29277 was already on scene and had the two occupants from the sinking boat onboard. When I arrived on scene the vessel was leaning heavily towards the stern as it had been continuously taking on water.
  
  The operator of the vessel was identified and the owner/passenger on the vessel was identified. Both occupants were uninjured and were wearing life jackets. Baltimore City Fire Department rescue boat two also arrived on scene. Both the USCG and BCFD attempted to prevent the vessel from sinking using pumps but were eventually unsuccessful. Tow Boat US was contacted to respond to the sinking vessel. Shortly after, the vessel became fully submerged and sunk. The water depth at that location is approximately 50 feet.
  
  I determined the vessel had a current MD registration  and Subject1 was the registered owner. Both Subject1 and Operator1 said that they had left from Sparrows Point Country Club and were headed to Mike’s Crab House North located on Rock Creek in Pasadena. They said that Operator1 was operating the vessel when they were travelling Southeast coming out of Bear Creek into the Patapsco River between Fort Carroll and Sparrows Point in Baltimore County when they struck a submerged object that was not visible. They said that the vessel was just coming up on plane traveling at a speed of 10-20 knots when the accident occurred. The vessel than began taking on water until it arrived at the location that it sunk at.
  
  Neither subject appeared to be impaired by alcohol or any substances and said that they had not consumed any alcohol. The operator, Operator1 had a valid boating safety education certificate. Per Subject1, all required safety equipment was onboard at the time of the accident. The owner, Subject1 advised that he purchased the vessel for approximately $150,000 and that he had at least $5,000 worth of other property onboard including a yeti cooler, 20 fishing rods, a new grill, and a Bose speaker. The vessel will likely be a complete loss and is insured through Progressive Insurance. Tow Boat US (410-255-8700) arrived on scene and said that they will attempt to salvage the vessel tomorrow 07/08/2022. USCG transported Subject1 and Operator1 back to Sparrows Point Country Club. A boat accident report was completed. A follow up will be conducted to determine if/when the vessel is removed from the water and if possible, to determine the exact damage from the original collision.
  
  All events occurred in Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County, MD.
  
  On 07/08/2022 the sunken vessel was recovered by Tow Boat US. The vessel was towed to Anchor Bay East Marina located at 8500 Cove Rd, Dundalk, MD 21222, where it was stored on land. I examined the vessel while it was on land and observed the following damage:
  - the starboard side propeller is bent
  - the starboard side driveshaft support is detached from the hull with an approximate one inch wide gap around where the support attached to the hull and you can see into the vessel
  - minor scratches on the fiberglass on both sides of the vessel.
  The port side driveshaft support does not have the same defect as the starboard side. At this time, it appears that the starboard side propeller struck an object which bent the propeller and detached the starboard side driveshaft support where it attached to the hull, which created an opening in the hull. This likely caused the vessel to take on water and eventually sink. The investigation is closed. Pictures of the vessel and damage were uploaded.
  