RedactedNarrative: On August 5, 2022 I (Corporal of the Maryland Natural Resources Police) was dispatched to a boat accident in the Sinepuxent Bay around 7:30 P.M. I responded to Under the Bridge Watersports located on Talbot Street in Ocean City, Maryland. I met with the owner of the Personal Watercraft (PWC). He showed me two PWC’s that were damaged in an accident.
  
   
  
       The first was Maryland registration (PWC #30). This ski will be referred to as the suspect PWC. It had heavy front end/bow damage. Pictures can be noted in this report. The second PWC was Maryland (PWC #6) and it had heavy port side stern damage. Pictures also noted. I met with the PWC tour guide Guide who explained he saw the crash occur. He explained that the suspect ski was driving south and the victim ski was driving east or approaching on the suspects right side. He said neither ski showed signs of altering a course to avoid the collision. He saw PWC 30 strike with its bow PWC 6 on the port stern. He noticed all riders fall into the water and he went over to check on all parties. He said everyone was shook up but not visibly injured and he confirmed that with the riders. He told me that he began watching them prior to the collision when the two PWC’s were at least 400 feet away from each other.
  
   
  
       I then met with the driver and passenger of PWC 30. Subject1 and Operator1 were the reported driver and passenger of this vessel. However, during the course of our investigation it became evident that Operator1 was actually the driver when the incident occurred. Operator1 never took the boating safety course and was supposed to only be a passenger on the vessel during the rental today. Both Operator1 and Subject1 were accompanied by their Mother and Aunt since they are both minors. They explained to me that they were driving straight when they saw a vessel approaching their path on the right. They tried to slow down but were unable to do so before striking the vessel. I asked if they were sure they were ok and did not need EMS. Subject1 responded that his head “kinda hurts” so EMS was called. They arrived on scene shortly after and cleared Subject1 of any injuries.
  
   
  
       I then met with the operator of PWC 6. Operator2 tells a similar story in that she was traveling at a fast speed when she turned to the left and continued for some time. She states that she did not notice any one in her immediate area until she was thrown off her PWC upon impact with PWC 30.
  
   
  
       My investigation showed enough evidence to collaborate that both operators were in some fault. However, Operator1 was not supposed to be operating the vessel at all during this rental agreement. Had she had the proper training and course requirement to operate a vessel on the waters of the state she would know that Rule 15 is a “Crossing Situation” and she was the give way vessel who did not give way. Thus she was properly cited for this violation and deemed at fault for the incident. Operator1 was given one citation and two warnings. Subject1 received one citation. operator2 also received one warning.