RedactedNarrative: On 19 June 2016 at approximately 715PM, I, Officer First Class of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, was contacted by Department of Natural Resources Communications regarding a vessel that was on fire near Matapeake, Kent Island. Communications advised there were at least four people in the water, and had been forwarded the report from Queen Anne’s County Fireboard.
  
        I advised communications I had an extended response time, and advised them to contact Area 3 for support, as well as to notify USCG Station Annapolis. While I was in transit from Cox Creek, units from Area 3 and USCG were able to arrive on scene. They both reported there were six persons aboard the vessel, all of who were accounted for an uninjured. The vessel, a 25’ Wahoo bearing MD registration 7541CA, was reported to be fully engulfed in flames. The duty officer was notified and kept up to date on events as they were reported through multiple channels of communication.
  
        When I arrived on scene, the vessel was inside of Matapeake Harbor, against the north jetty. Fireboard from Anne Arundel County and Queen Anne’s County were on scene, and advised they were going to let the vessel burn off the fuel and oil contents, so they would not spread and create a larger fire hazard. The fire itself was contained to within the hull of the vessel, and minimal oil or fuel seepage was observed by fire units. Officer’s First Class had responded from Area 3, and were on scene as well in two 24’ patrol vessels.
  
        The vessel was recently purchased and was being operated at the time of the accident by his fiancé. Operator does possess as valid boaters safety certificate, stated she did not have any drugs or alcohol in her system, and showed no signs of inebriation. Operator stated that as they were returning to Matapeake from the visiting her parents, who live on the Magothy River, the port engine stalled while entering the harbor at idle. 
  
  Operator attempted to start the port engine, which reported a loud backfire, then the starboard engine cut off as well. When she attempted to start the starboard engine, it also reported a loud backfire, but also blew open all three deck hatches and produced flash flames through the openings. At this time, Operator headed for a fire extinguisher, but subject handed life jackets to all aboard and began throwing the other five occupants from the boat. The vessel was fully engulfed as all POB’s entered the water. The vessel drifted, while engulfed, to the north rock jetty, where it came to rest on the rocks in the low tide. Queen Anne’s County fireboat 1 attempted to spray the vessel with water, but was unable to continue due to the amount of debris there were clogging the hose strainer.
  
        The vessel was not equipped with automatic or electronic blowers, a haleon/fire suppression system, nor backfire flame arresters. This is believed to have been the cause of the fire. In speaking with USCG, Queen Anne’s fireboard, and the vessel owner, I determined the vessel was to be secured to the rock jetty once it had burned itself out, and that I would contact hydrographics and Maryland Department of the Environment in the morning to facilitate removal and cleanup of any spills that may have presented overnight.
  
        I made contact with MST3 from USCG sector NCR, per direction from Station Annapolis, in regards to the environmental impact of the accident. He was updated as events occurred overnight, as well as through the follow days attempt at recovery.
  
   All fire, assisting Natural Resources Police, and USCG units cleared by 900PM; I remained on scene until the fire was no longer burning, at which time I inspected the vessel to ensure there was no further fluid leaks, and attempted to secure it to the rock jetty by attaching an anchor to the trim tab and placing the anchor within the rocks of the jetty. I was clear the scene at approximately 1230AM.
  
        I returned on the morning of 20 June 2016 at approximately 900AM, and found the vessel was mostly submerged, but attached to the rock jetty. There was a small oil/gasoline sheen observed in the immediate area of the vessel, but Maryland Department of the Environment advised there was no need to attempt to control it unless it continued to spread or show signs of heavy buildup. A team from Maryland Department of Natural Resources Hydrographics division was contacted and assessed the vessel for recovery. They attempted to hoist and drag the vessel from the rock jetty and transfer it to the trailer of the vessel owner for disposal, but were unable to complete the task due to the lack of structural rigidity from the fire damage. Subject was on scene as the crew informed him of the situation, and was advised by hydrographics and I that he would need to contact a private salvage contractor to remove the vessel. He was further advised that the vessel needed to be removed in a timely manner, since it was leaking some fuel, and also would in time constitute abandonment of a vessel on the waters of the state, as well as littering/dumping on the waters of the state. Subject advised us he would be attempting to get a contractor lined up today, and was able to advise that he had one in line who would be able to remove the vessel by Thursday, 23 June 2016. 
  
  ALL OBSERVATIONS ARE BASED ON MY TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE. ALL EVENTS OCCURRED IN QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND.
  
  On 30 June 2016, I was notified by Operator that the vessel wreckage had been removed by a marine salvage company.  The remaining fluid from the engines was drained prior to the vessel being lifted, and the hull and engines were disposed of at a local scrapyard.  United States Coast Guard had also been notified of the vessel being properly removed and disposed of.  This case is now closed.
  
  ALL OBSERVATOINS ARE BASED ON MY TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE.  ALL EVENTS OCCURED IN QUEEN ANNES COUNTY, MARYLAND.
  