RedactedNarrative: On 7/4/2021 at approximately 5:35 PM, while on routine patrol, Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a radio call from dispatch advising that the United States Coast Guard reported having responded to an overturned vessel in the vicinity of the Potomac River and St. George's Island just off the shore of Camp Merryelande. Dispatch advised that Coast Guard reported having pulled several people out of the water but there were still passengers of the vessel unaccounted for and still in the water.
  I along with Cpl 1 of the Maryland Natural Resource Police, advised dispatch we would be responding by vessel and would be launching from Point Lookout State Park. Cpl 1 was able to make phone contact with a member of Coast Guard and relayed to me that Coast Guard advised the incident occurred one and one half hours prior to Natural Resources Police receiving the call. Cpl 1 also relayed to me that Coast Guard advised that all persons involved with the capsized vessel were accounted for and out of the water and that Coast Guard brought them ashore at Camp Merryelande located at 15914 Camp Merryelande Rd. Piney Point, Md. 20674. I along with Cpl 1 advised dispatch we would now be responding by vehicle to Camp Merryelande to make contact with the subjects involved in the vessel incident.
  Cpl 1 and I arrived at Camp Merryelande and spoke with a OPERATOR 1, who advised us he was the vessel operator at the time the vessel capsized. OPERATOR 1 advised he was traveling between 5-6 knots with the vessel on plane and then suddenly came to a stop. OPERATOR 1 said that is when water surged over the stern of the vessel and filled the vessel up to the point where the vessel became “swamped” and ultimately capsized and sank beneath the water. OPERATOR 1 later stated that he believes the bilge pump was not working properly and that the battery for the bilge may have died from being ran too long previously.  The vessel sank at approximately 4:00 PM. OPERATOR 1 advised there were six persons aboard the vessel during the time it sank. OPERATOR 1 advised all passengers aboard had on a PFD. OPERATOR 1 did possess a valid boating safety certificate from New Jersey but stated he has had less than 100 hours of boating experience.
   Sea conditions during that time were windy with sustained winds at 15 MPH, skies were clear, lighting was dusk, air temperature was 70 degrees, water temperature was 82 degrees, boat traffic in the area was light.
  OPERATOR 1 advised that Coast Guard retrieved all persons who were aboard the capsized vessel from the water and that all members were accounted for. Cpl 1 and I, spoke with each person who claimed to be aboard the vessel and all persons stated they were medically OK and no one needed medical attention. OPERATOR 1 advised that the vessel was still in the water. OPERATOR 1s told me he contacted Tow Boat US commercial vessel tow assistance to retrieve the vessel. Cpl 1 again made contact with Coast Guard who could not provide any location information pertaining to the vessel. At that time dispatch notified myself and Cpl 1 that a good Samaritan was currently in the vicinity of the vessel. Cpl 1 made contact with the good Samaritan who advised he was currently looking at the submerged vessel and would be glad to show Towboat where it was at. Cpl 1 made contact with Towboat and they advised they were enroute to the last reported location of the vessel. Cpl 1 and I made arrangements with OPERATOR 1s to meet us along with Tow Boat at Piney Boat Launch where Tow Boat would tow their vessel so that they can trailer it.
  
  Cpl 1 and I met with Officer 1 and all three officers got underway on NRP 766 out of Piney Point Aquaculture center. I arrived at the location of the sunken vessel where Towboat was already on scene and in the process of retrieving the sunken vessel. Towboat was able to retrieve the vessel and tow it to Piney Point Boat Launch. I arrived at Piney Point Boat Launch and observed OPERATOR 1 along with several other individuals trailer the vessel. OPERATOR 1s advised he notified the vessel’s owner of the situation and current status of the vessel.
   Upon interviewing OPERATOR 1 I had no reason to believe he was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol, nor did I have reason to suspect that the accident was due to any sort of negligence or reckless behavior or actions. The vessel was a white Caravelle 18 ft. open cabin speed boat with an inboard engine. The vessel was displaying New Jersey boat registration NJ3966GY. All events occurred in St. Mary’s County.
  