RedactedNarrative: On May 20, 2022, at approximately 9:05 pm, Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to a boating accident involving two vessels in the Miles River just outside St. Michaels Harbor.
  
     Upon arrival at St. Michaels Harbor, DNR communications advised me that all subjects involved in the accident were ok, accounted for, and there were no medical injuries. At approximately 9:30 pm I contacted owner and operator via phone, of vessel #2 the striking vessel, described as a 29ft Cobia center console bearing MD Registration MD 1967 DE. 
  
  Subject1 stated he was traveling approximately 20 knots after leaving the 6 knot speed zone heading north out of St. Michaels Harbor but not quite yet on plane. Subject1 stated during his course of travel he did not see an anchored vessel in his path until the last second. Subject1 stated he tried to avoid collision by quickly swerving and turning the helm to port but was unsuccessful, causing the starboard quarter near the stern of his vessel to strike the starboard side bow of the anchored vessel. 
  
  The victim vessel (vessel #1) is a USCG documented vessel, "Walrus" with the hailing port of Rhode Island, described as a wooden 48ft Pilot House monohull. I asked Subject1 whether the anchored vessel had any lights on and he stated yes,   but did not notice it until after the collision. Subject1 stated that his vessel was inoperable due to no steering caused by the collision and that his vessel was at the time being towed back to his residence. 
   
     I traveled on board NRP 843, a marked patrol police vessel, to the accident site which was located at the following coordinates, 38.79165 N, 76.21331W. While traveling on NRP 843, I observed an anchor light displayed on the vessel that was struck. On arrival while using my flashlight in hand I was able to observe damage to bow front starboard side rub rail and hull. The rub rail was partially detached from the starboard side along with deep scratches directly above it on the hull from the impact of the collision. 
  
  I then made contact with V1 owner and his wife. I boarded their vessel and stepped inside the wheelhouse. V1 occupant2 stated that she was coming up from the cabin of their vessel when she heard a powerboat approaching fast. She stated that she looked out the starboard wheelhouse door and saw a boat coming straight for them. When the vessel #1 struck them, she stated that she and her husband were both thrown inside the wheelhouse, but they were ok. V1 occupant2 stated that she and her husband ran to the port wheelhouse door and yelled at them to come back. She stated that vessel #2 tied up to their vessel, then her husband called the coast guard via VHF and exchanged information with Subject1. V1 owner stated that the witness observed the whole thing.
  
      I observed damage inside the cabin sleeping area- cabinet doors were damaged and unhinged where vessel #1 struck vessel #2. I observed chipped wood from the cracked frame of the starboard side bow on the bed in the sleeping area of the cabin which appeared to be damage from the impact of the collision.
     
     I contacted Witness at his vessel "iiwii," located at coordinates 38.79129 N, 76.214470 W. Witness stated that he was sitting on the back deck of his vessel facing north when he saw a vessel coming down portside of his vessel  at approximately 250ft from his location at a high rate of speed. Witness stated he saw the collision take place and saw vessel #1 ricochet off vessel #2. Witness stated he heard the "Walrus" Capt yell, "come back," you hit me!" . Witness was approximately 127 yards away from the collision.
  
     Ofc took pictures of vessel #1 and collected witness statements from all individuals onboard
  
     On May 25, 2022 I met with Subject1 where he was charged  and issued two citations.
  
  1. MR 08 18.01.05 B - Negligent Operation Of A Vessel.
  2. MR 08 18.01.04 A - Failure To Obey Navigation Rules - Rules Of The Road.
  
     Photos and witness statements are attached to the report. 
  
      All events took place in Talbot and Queen Anne County, MD.
  