RedactedNarrative: On May 6, 2019 at approximately 5:38 PM, I, Officer First Class, Maryland Natural Resources Police, was dispatched to respond to a report of a body located on the South River near buoy 10. I was underway on NRP 877 from Liberty Marina at 5:51 PM. I arrived on scene at 5:57 PM and coordinated the initial actions with members from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department Dive Team. Members from the dive team entered the water at approximately 5:58 PM and recovered the body. Initial triage of Victim showed a very weak pulse. Victim was transported on the Anne Arundel County Dive boat to shore, with CPR efforts continuing during the transit. I followed the dive boat into shore and met with the paramedics on scene. Victim was pronounced deceased at 6:18PM by the paramedics on scene. Victim was transported to Anne Arundel County Medical Center to the Chief Medical Examiner. The Ambulance run number for this incident was 2019-30211. 
  
  At approximately 7:00 PM I returned to Liberty Marina to assist with the investigation. The vessel used in this incident had been located on a boat lift at Liberty Marina. I inspected the vessel and could not locate any Type III personal floatation devices or Type IV floatation device on the vessel. No other personal effects were located on the vessel. I observed a small splinter of wood in the rub rail on the port side of the vessel. I matched the splinter to a fresh impact mark on the piling at the entrance of the boat slip where the vessel is moored. At approximately 7:44 PM I responded with Sergeant to the Anne Arundel County Medical Center with Operator to observe the mandatory blood test. The blood test was completed at approximately 8:28 PM. At 9:02 PM I departed the Anne Arundel County Medical Center, arriving at the Area 3 Broadneck Office at 9:13 PM where the interview was conducted by Corporal. All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. This case is still open pending further charges to be filed.
  A short time later DNR advised a subject from Liberty Marina was calling in to report a subject had fallen off his boat in the South River. At that time I responded to Liberty Marina and came into contact with a Operator who was sitting on a dock box in the area of his vessel. Operator was speaking with slurred speech, and an odor of alcoholic beverage about his breath. Operator was observed to have wet blue slacks on and a damp gray workout style t-shirt on. Operator was also wearing brown sperry type boat shoes. Operator stated he had been out on his personal boat a Sea Hunt which displayed "MD 8859 CR" in the area of the South River.
  Operator stated him and his friend went out on his vessel for a short boat ride just for fun. While they were underway Victim told him that he needed to use the bathroom. Operator stated at that point he placed his vessel in neutral and moved to the forward half of the boat so that his friend could use the bathroom. Operator stated a short time later Victim started yelling his name. Operator stated he turned around and witnessed his friend in the water yelling for help. Operator said at that point he stood on the back swim platform of his vessel and attempted to rescue Victim but was unsuccessful. Operator stated he then jumped in the water and attempted to rescue his friend but he stated "he fought with him for approximately 30 minutes". When asked Operator what he meant by fought he said Victim was moving around and spitting up water making it difficult for Operator to help. Operator stated he was unable to successfully get Victim back on his vessel and left the scene to go back to the marina. 
  
  I inquired with Operator as to when the last time he had consumed alcohol. Operator stated he and Victim went to the Annapolis Buffalo Wild Wings earlier in the day and that he had 3-4 tall boy Michelob Ultras. I inquired with Operator if he had used any drugs to which he stated "no". I also asked Operator as to why he didn't contact 911 sooner to which he stated he was scared and didn't know what to do. Operator stated he contacted his wife prior to contacting 911. Operator also stated he had been on land for about 35-40 minutes before he called 911. Throughout the entire conversation with Operator he seemed extremely emotionally distraught. At this point in time Operator was advised of his Miranda rights. Operator was read his rights at 1850 hours.  At approximately 1857 hours Sgt. took custody of Operator and preformed standardized Field Sobriety Testing on Operator. All of the above events occurred in Anne Arundel County, MD.
  