RedactedNarrative: On Saturday, May 25, 2019 at approximately 1650 hours, I (Cpl. of the Maryland Natural Resources Police) was dispatched to Advanced Marine located at 66th Street and the Bay, Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland for a boat accident that had already occurred.  
  
      Upon my arrival I met with staff and Advanced Marine who advised that one of their rental pontoon boats had returned with a female who had a deep laceration to her left leg.  They further advised that she had been transported to 75th Street Medical Center in Ocean City for treatment.  I was able to obtain vessel information as well as operator information from the staff and Advanced Marine.  I was able to make contact with the operator via telephone and he returned to Advanced Marina to speak with me.
  
      In speaking with Operator1, I learned that the victim had been swimming in shallow water around the boat in the area of the St. Martin's River at Isle of Wight Wildlife Management Area.  She had attempted to use the boarding ladder on the starboard side, stern of the vessel to exit the water.  While she was doing so, Operator1 stated that he put the boat in gear and struck Victim in the left leg with the propeller.  He stated that he did not check his surroundings or note the location of people he knew were in the water before putting the boat in gear.  Operator1 stated that once he realized what had happened, he assisted Victim on board and returned immediately to the dock.  Operator1 stated that he had never operated a boat prior to today.
  
      Due to the fact that Victim was still being treated for her injuries and I had responded via patrol vessel I was unable to obtain a statement from her.  I was advised that she received stitches at the 75th Street Medical Center and was released without transfer to a hospital facility.  
  
      I issued Operator1 two Natural Resources citations for 1) Negligent Operation of a Vessel and 2) Navigation Rule 5 Violation: Failure to Keep a Proper Lookout.  All of the above events occurred in Worcester County, Maryland.
  