RedactedNarrative: On Thursday, August 13th, 2020, at approximately 2139 hours, I, OFC. of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, was dispatched to a report of a vessel that had struck the Rockhold Creek rock jetty, located in Anne Arundel County, MD. OFC. and I responded by water from Sandy Point. Upon our arrival, at approximately 2230 hours, we observed a 25’ center console vessel resting on its port side on the south side of the rock jetty. The GPS coordinates of the vessel were recorded as N 38.7673 by W -76.5570. The vessels Maryland registration is MD2542BD. It is a 25'2" Sportcraft registered to Father of the operator.  We were unable to approach the vessel by boat due to wave conditions and depth. We subsequently met with the occupants of the vessel and Anne Arundel County EMS/Police at 483 Leitch Road, Tracy’s Landing, MD 20779.
  
                 OFC. and I spoke with vessel occupants about the accident. Operator explained, that they were anchored in Herring Bay, listening to music, and watching the sunset. On their way into Rockhold creek, around 2100 hours, experienced rough water conditions with the wind out of the east/northeast at approximately 10-20 mph. The wave conditions were 2-3 feet. Operator explained that Victim was sitting on his lap while he was operating the boat. 
  
  Operator stated he never saw the rock jetty and was not paying full attention, but knew it was there because of his experience of the area. He explained that he was running at 2500 RPM, at approximately 15 mph. When the vessel hit the south side of the rock jetty, it was headed in a northwesterly direction. This impact caused the starboard bow to make contact and ramp up the jetty. The vessel then slid back down the jetty and subsequently flipped toward the port side. The port side of the vessel was submerged with the starboard side out of the water.  A good samaritan helped assist the occupants out of the vessel and took them to shore where they were assessed by Anne Arundel County Personnel.
  
      Operator stated he has over 500 hours of experience on the water. It was confirmed that he has a boater’s safety certificate. Due to the nature of the accident, I performed horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) on him. There were no evident signs of alcohol or drug impairment or use. I asked all occupants of the vessel if there was any alcohol or drug use that occurred while on the boat and all stated, “no.” One occupant was examined from AACO EMS for neck pain, but was never transported to the hospital.
  
  Due to the location of the vessel and inability to inspect it, I spoke with the vessel owner who stated that all proper safety equipment was onboard the vessel at the time of the incident. He stated, his son took the vessel out with his friends without permission. owner explained that he does not have insurance on the vessel, and due to the damage the vessel will be a total loss. He estimated the vessel to be worth around $9,500. The vessel was removed on the morning of August 14, 2020 and returned back to a private boat lift.
  
  On Friday, August 14, 2020 at approximately 1700 hours, I met with Operator, and identified him. I obtained a witness statement and discussed the situation. I charged Operator with the following violations:
  
  08.18.01.04A- Failure to Obey Navigation Rules Improper Lookout- $85, Max- $500
  
  08.18.01.05B- Negligent Operation of a Vessel- $320, Max-$500
  
  WARNING: 08.18.01.05A- Reckless Operation of a Vessel
  
   
  
  All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, MD.
  
  This case is closed.
  