RedactedNarrative: On August 7, 2022 at approximately 1842 hours, I, OFC, was requested by NRP SOD LT to respond to the Miles River in the area of the Miles River Yacht Club in Talbot County to investigate a fatal boat accident.  While en route to the call, I made contact with SGT, who was the supervisor on scene.  SGT advised that at approximately 1744 hours, Area 2 officers had responded to the Miles River in the area of Deepwater Point for an adult male, who had been swimming from a drifting vessel and never resurfaced.  Through investigation, it was determined that the operator had taken the vessel out of gear, put the swim ladder down and entered the water. Victim was last seen wearing tan shorts and no shirt.  The witness on the vessel stated that Victim was in the water for less than five minutes swimming, began to show signs of distress, called Witness for help and went under without resurfacing. Witness immediately dialed 911 and flagged down a Good Samaritan vessel for help.
  
   Upon arriving on scene at approximately 1947 hours, Sgt relayed that units from Talbot County, Queen Anne’s County and Anne Arundel County Fire were all conducting sonar operations while other MD Natural Resources Police assets conducted surface searches between Deepwater Point and Red #4 (Talbot Run # 2022-0053848).  Sgt stated that Red #4 is the closest marker to where the witness stated Victim entered the water.  Sgt then showed me where the victim’s vessel was docked and pointed to the location of the lone witness.
  
  Witness was seated at a table outside of the dining area of the Miles River Yacht Club, located at 24750 Yacht Club Road.  I introduced myself and advised Witness of why I was there as she had already spoken to other NRP officers.  I then asked Witness to walk me through what had happened that victim from start to finish.  
  
  Witness stated that she had driven to Victim’s residence that morning and the two of them had departed from his dock at 1004 hours.  Witness stated they arrived to the St. Michael’s anchorage outside the harbor at approximately 1055 hours.  Witness said they took the water taxi into the harbor and went to brunch.  In total, she and Victim went to three establishments. I asked how much Victim had to drink during the victim.  
  
  Witness stated Victim had a Bloody Mary and two Bud Lights at Carpenter Street Saloon, two Bud Lights at Foxy’s and two Bud Light’s at Blu Miles.  Witness stated that they did eat at brunch and throughout the victim at all three establishments.  Witness then showed me the receipts for Foxy’s and Blu Miles to establish more of a timeline.  The two had closed their tab at Foxy’s at 1441 hours and closed their last tab at Blu Miles at 1624.  
  
  After leaving Blu Miles, Witness stated they took the water taxi back to the anchorage and then departed for Victim’s residence.  As Witness and Victim began traveling down the Miles River en route back to his residence, Witness stated that Victim brought the vessel down off plane and then out of gear.  She was not sure if Victim put it in neutral or turned it off as she is not very familiar with the operation of vessels.  Witness then stated Victim took off his hat, shirt and shoes and put the swim ladder down and immediately got in the water. 
  
   Witness believed that Victim was in the water for less than 5 minutes total if she had to estimate.  Witness stated that initially Victim was swimming and then began to show signs of distress.  Victim then began yelling for help and went under.  Witness stated Victim never resurfaced.  When asked where this all took place, Witness stated that it all occurred within 100 feet of Red marker #4, as she could vividly see the number even without her glasses on.  While speaking to me, Witness pointed to the double doors at the Yacht Club and said approximately that far from where we were seated.  The distance appeared to be approximately 100-150 feet.  Witness began yelling for help and called 911.  A Good Samaritan vessel stopped and attempted to help search for Victim, but then left stating they had to return their rental.  
  
  Witness stated she got the number from the female on board in case police needed to reach them.  I called the number twice, and it is a robot number for some type of sale. I was not able to reach an actual person. 
  
   I then asked Witness if Victim had any known medical problems or took medications.  Witness did not know of any medical issues or medications that he took.  She stated Victim was also a strong swimmer and was on the boat often.  Witness also stated that Victim had never been married, had no children and only knew of a sister that lived out of state.  Witness did not know where or have a phone number. 
  
  I then spoke to a friend of Victim’s.  Friend stated that he and his wife were with Victim and Witness earlier that victim in a group of approximately 10-15 total friends.  Friend confirmed the events that occurred in St. Michael’s, but stated he and his wife had departed before everyone else due to people on his vessel needing to go home.  Friend stated he responded back to the area when Witness told him what happened.  Friend advised that he and Victim had known each other for years and were boating acquaintances.  Friend also advised that he would transport Witness back to another friend’s home for the night.  Upon completion of the interview, Witness was released with Victim’s personal belongings due to the fact of no next of kin being found at the time and having no family in the area.  Witness stated that they were not intimate, but that she and Victim had been friends for over 20 years and would see each other every few months. 
  
  At approximately 2143 hours, search operations were suspended for the evening.  Once all fire assets and NRP assets had cleared the scene, CPL and I went to the victim’s vessel.  The vessel was a 2004 Pursuit walk around bearing MD vessel Registration 5876 BT.  Initial observations showed a small cooler on the passenger seat, the cuddy cabin closed and the swim ladder in the down position.  This information corroborated Witness statement that he had put the ladder down in order to enter the water.  The vessel was secured at the bulkhead to the Yacht Club for the evening.  The Front of House Manager,  advised that they would be closed the following victim and it was fine that the vessel was left for disposition by the family when they arrived.  Photographs were taken of the vessel.  There were no signs of a struggle or foul play during our observation. 
  
  At approximately 2300 hours, I was made aware that the victim was still wearing his Apple watch and had its own cellular connection.  The number provided was believed to be the number associated with the watch per Witness and Friend.  I contacted DNR Communications and requested they notify Verizon of a missing person and that they ping the number.  DNR Communications advised at approximately 2339 hours, the watch was pingin.  Upon hearing this information, it is believed the watch did not have its own number
  