RedactedNarrative: On July 31, 2015, at 1700 hours, I, Corporal, was notified by Maryland State Police in reference to a property damage boat accident at Deep Creek Marina in McHenry, Maryland.  I arrived at 1710 hours, and made contact with the manager at Deep Creek Marina.  Manager stated that on that date, his company had rented a 2015 Axis 22 foot ski boat bearing Maryland registration MD 3406 LB, to a party that had returned it with damage.  Manager identified Operator as the operator of the vessel upon its return, and advised that the vessel had already been removed from the water to the company's showroom across from their rental location.  
   
      I made contact with Operator who stated that he had operated the vessel to the Deep Creek Marina fuel dock located south of the rental dock in McHenry Cove on Deep Creek Lake.  Operator stated that he pulled up to the pier, and an attendant from the fuel dock assisted in securing the vessel during fueling.  Operator stated that the attendant fueled their vessel, and assisted in his departure from the dock.  Operator operated the vessel back to the rental dock in McHenry Cove, at which time a marina employee noticed a red line hanging in the water from the vessels starboard stern cleat.  The employee noticed that the line had been cut, and suspected that it may have been cut by the vessels propeller.  Marina staff removed the vessel from the water, and found the rest of the line wrapped around the propeller shaft of the vessel.  In between the cleat and the propeller shaft was a surf gate, a panel mounted to a hydraulic ram which extends from the side of the vessel to magnify the vessels wake while towing a skier.  The surf gate had a lateral break all of the way across the panel, consistent with where the line would have been tightened between the cleat and the propeller shaft.  It was determined that the damage had occurred somewhere between the fuel pier and the rental dock.
   
      When questioned, Operator stated that the fuel dock employee stated that he was a new employee, and may not have secured the line in the vessel prior to his departure.  I informed Operator that he was still responsible to secure any lines or gear in his vessel as he was the operator at the time.
   
      I found the vessel on a trailer at the MArina show room, and took photos of the damage.  I obtained the pertinant vessel information and again made contact with operator at the rental location.  Operator was issued one warning for Negligent operation of a vessel.
   
      Both parties were given information to obtain a report, and I cleared the scene at aproximately 1800 hours.
   
      All these events occurred in Garrett County Maryland...
   