RedactedNarrative: On July 5, 2017 at approximately 1536 hours this officer, Sgt., was dispatched by DNR Communications to Deep Creek Marina located at 1899 Deep Creek Drive in McHenry, Garrett County, Maryland for a report of a property damage boat accident.  I responded to the scene aboard marked patrol vessel NRP 806 and met with the marina staff and most of the occupants of the vessel.  I was informed that a 2016 Brunswick 220 (d.b.a Harris) pontoon boat (Maryland registration 3972 LB) struck an unoccupied 2017 Cascade and Avalon (d.b.a. Tahoe) CS2585CR Funship (Maryland registration 3768LB) pontoon boat that had been secured to the southern-most dock of the business.  Operator1's vessel was reported to have left the nearby fuel dock of Bill's Marine Service and instead of Operator1 moving his vessel backwards he proceeded forward.  This action caused the port mid ship portion of his vessel to strike to port bow area of the docked pontoon boat.  The later pontoon boat was docked in a manner such that its' bow was pointing towards the lake.
  
   Examination of the vessels showed that the Funship sustained a torn cover, scratches to it's port bow metal corner and port pontoon, and also a bent splash guard on the port pontoon.  The 2016 Brunswick pontoon boat sustained dents to its' port midship and stern aluminum panels and the support framing for these panels.  Photographs of the damages are attached to this report.  The marina staff estimated the total damages to the vessel to be approximately $5000.00.
  
   Examination of the rental agreement for the involved party revealed that the striking vessel had been rented by another person.  The agreement did not list Operator1 as a designated driver of the vessel.
  
   When I questioned Operator1, I recognized him.  At approximately 1400 hours on July 5, 2017, I had conducted a vessel stop of Operator1 after observing him pass a tow boat at a very close distance and high rate of speed.  This action caused the tow boat and towed vessel to be subjected to an excessive and unnecessary large wake.  During the course of the vessel stop, I explained to Operator1 that operating a boat was different than driving a car and cautioned him to be more aware of his speed and wake.
  
   Operator1 admitted to being the operator of the striking vessel but stated the vessel was in neutral and the wind caused his vessel to strike the docked pontoon boat.  Operator1 and his companions  provided as much information about the occupants of his vessel as they could.  In total, 13 people had occupied the vessel at the time of the accident. However, some of those individuals had left from the area prior to my arrival and Operator1 and his companions could not identify two small children that had occupied the vessel.
  
   The marina staff offered to settle the vessel damages for $2500.  However, Operator1 and his companions did not accept this settlement offer and it is anticipated that the business with pursue civil action against Operator1 for restitution.  Exact damage estimates for this accident have been requested from Deep Creek Marina and a supplemental report will follow the receipt of these estimates.
  
   All events occurred in Garrett County, Maryland.
  