RedactedNarrative: On 5/01/2021 at approximately 2137 hours, OPERATOR 1 was operating her 1999 26' Regal Cabin cruiser.  Onboard were her 2 daughters and their 4 children. PASSENGER 1 was standing to the left of her mom, OPERATOR 1, holding a child who was asleep.  All the other children were asleep in the cabin.  PASSENGER 2 was standing in the cabin too.  OPERATOR 1 stated they were all coming back from dinner at Shaefers Canal House on the C&D canal, cruising about 20 mph.  OPERATOR 1 stated that she looked down at her depth finder and then looked up and boom; struck a green channel marker in the area of Town Point on the Elk river. The boat came to quick stop. PASSENGER 1 and PASSENGER 2 were thrown into the cabin, PASSENGER 2 was thrown into a small table in cabin, and OPERATOR 1 was thrown into the dash.  Everyone was ok with just some bumps and bruises.
       OPERATOR 1 stated that boat wasn't taking on any water and still running fine so they decided to keep heading back to Charlestown Marina.  PASSENGER 2 called 911 and reported the accident.  They met up with a fireboat in the area of Turkey Point.  Fire boat crew determined everyone was ok and followed them back to Charlestown Marina.
       At 2220 hours, I met up with OPERATOR 1 and her family back at Charlestown Marina where I interviewed them.  I conducted a safety inspection on the damaged vessel and determined that alcohol was not a factor.  OPERATOR 1 was short a children's lifejacket on the safety inspection.  OPERATOR 1's vessel had several large cracks on the hull and her bow was smashed in by the eye hook with green paint transfer from the green channel marker.  All subjects onboard the vessel refused medical treatment.
       On 5/02/2021, while on boat patrol, an officer investigated the green channel markers on the Elk river in the area of Town Point.  He only observed some minor scuff marks on Green #19 channel marker.  The light on it was still functioning.  He also took some pictures of it that I included in report.
       On 5/04/2021, I met up with OPERATOR 1 at her residence.  She told me that her boat was pulled out of the water today and damage estimate was done by a Fiberglass boat repair company.  They estimated the damage being at least $36000.00, which insurance company then said vessel was totaled.  I issued OPERATOR 1 2 citations:  Insufficient number of PFDs, and Failure to maintain a proper lookout.  Investigation complete and case is closed.  All events occurred in Cecil County Maryland.
  