RedactedNarrative: On August 13, 2022 at  1837 hours I, Officer responded to Under The Bridge Watersports located at 312 Talbot Street, Ocean City, MD for a reported property damage collision.  Upon arrival I interviewed the guide who was involved in the collision, who stated the following.
  
      Operator2 stated that on August 13, 2022 he began to lead a guided jet ski tour in the the Sinepuxent Bay. Operator2 stated that the group generally was not very attentive and not listening to instructions.   Operator2 stated that when he arrived at the riding area he slowed to explain to the participants the location of the riding area and the general rules.  
  
  Operator2 stated that he was traveling in a easterly direction while waiting for the group to convene.  Operator2 stated that he observed a jet ski caught in a wake, and it appeared to Operator2 that Operator1 was struggling to maintain control of the jet ski.  Operator2 stated that Operator1 headed straight towards him at speed, and was on a direct course for a collision.  
  
  Operator2 stated that he jumped off the jet ski prior to the collision to avoid injury.  Operator2 stated that he was not injured, and he checked on Operator1 and he was not hurt either.  Operator2 then observed damage to the jet ski he was operating, along with damage to the jet ski that Operator1 was operating.  Both skis were able to return to the dock under their own power.  Operator2 has well over 500 hours operating vessels of all kinds, and has been a guide all summer long.
  
      I spoke with Operator1 who stated the following.  Operator1 stated that he was a participant in a guided tour on August 13, 2022.  Operator1 stated he was headed in a southerly direction maintaining a safe following distance.  Operator1 stated that another rider in the group began to operate the jet ski at speed in his general area. Operator1 stated that the force of the wake caused him to not have control of the jet ski. Operator1 stated that he struggled to maintain control of the jet ski as Operator2 slowed to explain the riding area.  However Operator1 stated that he never let go of the throttle while attempting to control the jet ski.  Operator1 stated that this caused him to collide with Operator2.  Operator1 stated that he was not injured in the collision.  Operator1 stated this was his first time operating a vessel of any kind.
  
      The vessel that Operator1 was operating was a 2002 SEADOO GTX Maryland registration, this vessel suffered fiberglass damage to the starboard bow area.  The damage was estimated to by $500.00. The vessel that Operator2 was operating was a 2022 SEADOO GTX Maryland registration, this vessel suffered damage to the port side mid ship area.  This damage was estimated to be $4000.00.  Both estimates were stated by employees of Under The Bridge Watersports.  
  
      Both Operator1 and Operator2 stated the a participant was the rider causing the wake.  However subject3 was not involved in any collision.   Subject3 was not on location when I arrived to Under The Bridge Watersports, and his violations did not occur in my presence so I was not going to levy any charges against Subject3.  I advised both Operator1 and Under The Bridge Watersports they could seek civil actions against Subject3 if the desired.  
  
      The cause for this vessel collision was Operator1 was an inexperienced operator, failed to reduce speed to 6 knots while within 100 feet of another vessel, and the wake caused by the other rider.  Since no injuries were reported, I issued Operator1 two warnings in regard to the collision.  
  
      All above events occurred in Worcester County, Maryland.
  