RedactedNarrative: Incident Summary
  
         On July 22, 2017, I Cpl. , of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a call from DNR Dispatch, in reference to a boat that was on fire in Long Cove, Kent County, MD. Off responded from the Kent Narrows (Queen Anne's County) while I responded from the Chester River. Both vessel occupants were able to leave the vessel with no injuries. The fire was extinguished by the Rock Hall Fire Company.
  
   Initial Observations
  
        On July 22, 2017, at about 1153 hours, I Cpl., of the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP), received a call from DNR Dispatch, in reference to a boat that was on fire in Long Cove, Kent County, MD. NRP Officer responded from the Kent Narrows, located in Queen Anne's County, MD. I responded to the call from the Chester River, once as I was finished completing another call for service near Queenstown Creek. Kent Central Communications contacted the Office of the State Fire Marshal and notified them of the fire. 
  
        Off and I arrived at Long Cove, located off of Langford Creek, Rock Hall, Kent County, MD, at about 1230 hours. As we arrived to the area, we could see fire trucks located near the bulk head at the Deckelman's Long Cove Marina, located at 22589 Hudson Road, Rock Hall, Kent County, MD. As we got closer, we could see a light green/blue colored vessel sitting on the lifting straps of a large travel lift, as it was charred and still smoking. Fire Department personnel were spraying water on the vessel as it sat on the travel lift. 
  
        I docked my NRP patrol vessel and proceeded over to the vessel. I asked the occupants if they were okay and asked if they needed medical treatment. They both advised that they were okay and did not need any medical aid. I subsequently took digital pictures of the damaged vessel and briefly examined the vessel.
  
      I escorted them down to my vessel where I talked to them about what happened. Operator advised that he and his wife were the sole occupants of the vessel, before it caught fire. They advised that they fueled their 1984 dual-console 24' Grady-White Tournament vessel, bearing Maryland registration "9865 CB" at the Deckelman's Long Cove Marina at about 11:11 AM. The marina is located in Long Cove, off of Langford Creek. Operator’s wife advised that the vessel took 40 gallons of gasoline. Operator advised that he had the vessel's engine compartment blowers turned on during the fueling and after the fueling was completed. Operator’s wife advised that she went to pay the gas bill after the fueling was complete. She spent 5 to 8 minutes inside of the gas dock shop as she paid the bill and purchased ice. She went back down to the dock and got on the vessel. Operator advised that he started the vessel, just prior to Operator’s wife coming back from paying the gas bill and buying ice. He left the engine compartment blowers on while he pushed away from the dock. 
  
      Operator advised that they proceeded eastbound in Long Cove, towards Langford Creek at idle speed. When they were about 40 yards away from the gas dock (to the east), directly in front of a pier with a sailboat with blue canvas covers, he heard a loud explosion at the rear of the vessel. The engine cover, that was set inside of the middle stern of the vessel, flew up into the air and landed directly to his left side, inside of the vessel. Operator’s wife advised that she was sitting in the port side bow area of the vessel when the explosion occurred. She turned around and saw flames coming from the uncovered engine. Operator advised that he told Operator’s wife to jump in the water immediately, which she did. He either threw the engine cover overboard or to the rear of the vessel. He then jumped in the water with Operator’s wife. Operator advised that they were not wearing PFDs when they jumped into the water. They were immediately retrieved from the water by a vessel of good samaritans that were traveling behind them in Long Cove. The good samaritans dropped them off to shore. Operator was unable to get the good samaritans information before they left…
  