RedactedNarrative: On April 30, 2022 at approximately 2200 hours, I, OFC and SGT  of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a call for service for a boating accident on the Potomac River at Williamsport River Bottom.  The caller stated a vessel was coming back into the ramp when it struck a tree that was in the water.  Washington County Fire and EMS were dispatched and advised that the operator had endured a hand injury and was still on his way back to the ramp as his vessel took on water. 
  
      I arrived on scene and the operator of the vessel was being examined by EMS.  I identified the operator.  He was conscious and alert so I asked him what had happened.  Operator1 stated he was coming back to the boat ramp to weigh his fish for the catfish tournament that he was participating in and hit a tree in the water that he did not see.  Operator1 was taken to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for further treatment. 
  
      SGT and I then approached the vessel, which was still in the water at the ramp, to inspect the damages.  Two individuals stated that they had witnessed the accident and were willing to provide witness statements (NRP-425A's attached).  Two subjects were on the same vessel when they heard the collision and screams for help.  They made their way over to Operator1 and Subject1 called 911.  Subject1 and Subject2 assisted in getting Operator1's boat back to the ramp.  Subject1 and Subject2 loaded Operator1's boat onto Operator1's truck and later transported both to a safe location at Operator1's friend's house. 
  
      The vessel had major damage to the front left side where contact was made with the tree, and the vessel was almost full of water when it came off the river.  Inside the vessel was a large RTIC cooler, fish net, five fishing rods, a water resistant bag, two boat batteries, a Jackery Explorer 240, a tackle box, and a trolling motor on the front.  Operator1 was wearing his PFD during the accident, and had all other required safety gear on board. 
  
      SGT and I followed up with Operator1 at Meritus Medical Center and noted that he suffered non-fatal injuries to his right hand, left elbow, mouth, and chest.  Operator1 was being administered medication for his pain and could not write a statement due to his injuries at this time.  Operator1 was lucid and agreed to speak with us in reference to the boat accident.  Operator1 stated the fish weigh in for the tournament was at 2200 hours.  He advised that he fished until the last possible moment in an attempt to win the tournament, which left him with very little time to get back to the ramp.  Operator1 stated he was not that familiar with the river, but understood if he stayed to the left side of Duck Island that he would be fine.  
  
  Operator1 advised he was operating his boat down river at around 30 MPH to the left of Duck Island in the middle of the Potomac when he collided with the tree.  Operator1 was asked if he was operating his vessel with any other lights other than the required navigation lights.  Operator1 stated he was using the small LED light bar on the front of his vessel, but not using the large LED on the back, to help him navigate the water.  Operator1 stated he looked down at his GPS for a brief moment (that is how he knew he was doing 30 MPH) and when he looked back up he observed the tree and was unable to avoid it.  
  
  Operator1 stated he struck his chest, face, and elbow on the center console of the vessel sustaining injuries to his right hand, gums, elbow, and chest.  Operator1 then stated once he realized what happened he screamed out for help as his boat was taking on water and he was injured.  Operator1 was asked if he was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident to which he said yes.  Operator1 was asked to describe the life jacket he was wearing.  Operator1 advised he was wearing a blue and yellow inflatable life jacket.  The life jacket Operator1 described was observed in the boat and documented in pictures, did not have a CO2 cartridge to inflate the jacket.  Operator1 was asked if the life jacket was fully operational before the accident or if it was missing the cartridge.  Operator1 stated that it was fully functional before the accident.  
  
      On May 4, 2022 I was able to receive pictures of the tree that Operator1 struck.  The river level has risen since the date of occurrence. 
  
      All events occurred in Washington County, Maryland.
  