RedactedNarrative: On 7/11/21, Maryland Natural Resources Police, was dispatched for a vessel on fire with people in the water on the Sassafras River. Two other corporals, of the same agency, and I responded by water via a marked police vessel. 
  When we arrived on the scene, I observed one 30-40 ft. inboard cabin boat fully engulfed in flames. A Good Samaritan vessel retrieved the 2 vessel occupants from the water prior to our arrival and took them to Skipjack Cove Marina. I met with the owner and operator of the vessel and his wife. OPERATOR 1 stated he had the generator running and was using air conditioning and the vessel’s blower. PASSENGER 1 also stated they had a refrigerator plugged into a DC outlet as well. Both individuals stated that they saw smoke in their cabin after they raised anchor and were idling in preparation to travel back to their slip at Duffy Creek Marina. OPERATOR 1 went down into his cabin and heard a popping sound and saw fire and sparks coming from the electrical panel. OPERATOR 1 tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher but that did not subdue the flames. Once the flames and smoke became too overwhelming, both occupants grabbed a personal flotation device (PFD) and jumped into the water. PASSENGER 1 was able to put on the PFD before jumping into the water. I obtained a witness statement and contact information from OPERATOR 1 and allowed him to leave the area. 
  The vessel was a Larson Boats Cabrio which was manufactured in 2005. It was 37 feet in length and registered in MD (9140BU). The vessel was insured through Allstate. 
  OPERATOR 1 states that this was the third time they used the vessel since its purchase date in October 2020. The vessel was surveyed and fully inspected prior to the purchase date. No electrical work was performed on the vessel during this time.
  The approximate coordinates of the initial vessel fire: 39° 21.813' N, 75° 54.467' W
  The coordinates of where the vessel sunk: 39° 21.866' N, 75° 54.707' W
  Based on the statements of both occupants of the vessel, the vessel fire appears accidental in nature.
  The sunken vessel has been removed from the waters of the Sassafras River.
  No further law enforcement action is necessary and this case is closed.
  All events occurred in Kent County, Maryland.
  