RedactedNarrative: On November 17, 2018, at approximately 9:30 A.M. I, Officer of the Maryland Natural Resources Police was on patrol with Cpl. when we were dispatched to an overturned vessel in the Choptank River at the mouth of Broad Creek. The communications center advised there was an overturned duck hunting boat with 3 people on board who were in the water.
  
   We responded to the scene on NRP 143. I observed the seas to be approximately 2 feet in height and the wind was from the North West at 10 to 12 mph. Shortly before we arrived, the communications center advised us the victims had boarded a good Samaritan boat and were being taken to shore to meet EMS. They advised that one victim was transported to Easton Memorial Hospital for further medical treatment.
  
   Once we arrived on scene at approximately 10:02 A.M., we met with a Coast Guard vessel who had been securing the scene until we arrived. We then took over the scene and I observed an overturned camouflage duck hunting boat with its stern and outboard motor submerged and facing the west. There was also approximately 50 sea duck decoys off of the bow and stern floating in the water. The boat appeared to be stationary and did not appear to be drifting with waves crashing over its stern. The Coast Guard was able to help us identify the boat's registration (MD 4717 DA) and then they cleared the scene. We then took over the scene and protected the vessel and their decoys. 
  
    I then obtained a phone number of Victim’s wife.  She was also concerned about all the lost property that fell off of the boat which included the following: 2 shotguns, all of their hunting gear, a red cooler, and a white 5-gallon bucket with a screw on lid containing all of their personal belongings including their wallets and cell phones except for Operator's wallet and cell phone which were on his person at the time of the accident. 
  
  While waiting for the tow boat we recovered approximately 50 floating sea duck decoys and one flapper decoy. We also recovered 10 decoy anchors and all of the lines to hold the decoys together. A white work boat with the name of “Brandi Lee” of Bozman Md. approached us  and stated he talked to the victims on the dock and he claimed they asked him to recover the decoys and look for any other belongings that fell out of the boat. We told him we had the decoys and we would deliver them to the victims.
  
   Once Tow Boat U.S. arrived from Kent Island he then took possession of the vessel so he could tow it to Neavitt landing where the victims were waiting for it. As the tow boat was towing the vessel I observed a peanut butter jar containing the extra boat keys and another decoy surface from the overturned vessel. We then secured the items on the deck of our vessel with their other property.
               
  We then cleared with Tow Boat U.S. and met the victims at Neavitt landing to return their property. All three victims were at Neavitt landing and appeared to be okay. They took possession of their property and we cleared the call.
                  
  On November 18, 2018 I spoke with the owner of the vessel. He stated the vessel was anchored from the bow  and facing northwest. The occupants had been hunting for 2 hours when the boat took a wave over the bow and began to capsize. The only occupant wearing a lifejacket was victim. Operator stated he has over 100 hours of boating experience and grew up on boats. He also stated he was familiar with the Choptank River. and obtained much of his boating experience there. Operator  stated all of his equipment was on board and in working order and believes the bilge pump was running and that, "Maybe it just couldn't keep up." Operator then advised the vessel was going to be a total loss but could not advise a monetary value.
               
  All events occurred in Talbot county, Md. 
   
  They were attempting to reposition their vessel, and the waves began to break over the cutout in the transom. Before they knew it, the vessel was being over run with water and rolled over. His brothers climbed up on the bottom of the overturned vessel, and he remained in the water, clinging onto the vessel. I asked Victim if he obtained any injuries. He stated that he did not, but his arms and fingers were sore from holding onto the vessel. I asked Victim if he had a life jacket on at the time. He stated that he wore it to put out decoys, then took it off to be able to shoot his gun, so he was not wearing it when the vessel overturned. He stated there were three PFD's that he brought, plus the ones his brother kept on board. I asked Victim who was operating the vessel to re position it.  He stated that he was at the helm. He stated that his father worked for DNR for over 30 years, so he and his brothers had experience with boats. I asked which direction the vessel was facing before he moved the vessel. He stated that the bow was anchored into the wind, towards Tilghman. Victim stated that when his brother started to pull the anchor, the vessel swung around, allowing the waves to come over the stern. I asked about his brothers, and was informed that they were on their way to the hospital with new pants for Victim. The medical personnel stated that Victim was free to go once his brothers arrive.
  
  
  