RedactedNarrative: On May 23, 2021, at about 1226 hours Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a call from DNR Communications in regards to a vessel fire in the area of Saint. Helena Island on the Severn River, Annapolis, MD. It was reported that a 21' vessel was on fire with three people on board. MNRP initiated an immediate response from Sandy Point State Park aboard a marked NRP Patrol vessel. 
  MNRP arrived at the scene at about 1245 hours. We saw a white colored vessel completely engulfed in flames, about 40' from shore. Members of the USCG Auxiliary and the Anne Arundel County Fire Department were at the scene upon our arrival. Anne Arundel County Fire Boat began to extinguish the fire. The USCG Auxiliary vessel had the three vessel occupants that were on the aforementioned vessel, aboard their vessel. None of the victims were reported to have any injuries nor did they need any medical attention.
      The vessel was a 21' Godfrey Marine, white in color, bearing Maryland vessel registration MD1922DA. The vessel owner and operator was later identified as OPERATOR 1. The other passengers were identified as PASSENGER 1 & 2.   
       I asked OPERATOR 1 what happened.  He replied, "We were underway and I heard a loud pop come from the bilge area and then the vessel started to catch on fire." OPERATOR 1 advised everyone to jump into the water. OPERATOR 1 and PASSENGER 1 put on PFDs before jumping in while PASSENGER 2 had a PFD on during the entire trip. OPERATOR 1 was at the vessel's operator station at the time the fire first started. PASSENGER 1 was sitting on the front port side, while PASSENGER 2 was sitting at the front starboard side. 
      While handling the call for service, another priority drowning call for service was dispatched for Sandy Point State Park. I left the scene of the fire since everything was under control and responded to the drowning. I would later make contact with the AACO Fire Department about the conclusion of the vessel fire call for service. 
      OPERATOR 1 contacted Tow Boat US to handle the removal of the vessel. The vessel was towed back to Smiths Marina, and is a total loss. The vessel is valued at $5000.00. OPERATOR 1 advised that the vessel was not insured.
  All events occurred in Anne Arundel County MD.
  