RedactedNarrative: On September 15, 2022, I, Officer with the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) responded to a vessel taking on water off of Poole’s Island in the Chesapeake Bay.  We responded by patrol vessel from Rock Hall Harbor.  NRP Dispatch described the vessel as a 36-foot cabin cruiser with two people on board having run aground.  As we got closer to the scene we were contacted by NRP Dispatch who advised Tow Boat US and US Coast Guard were on scene and our response was no longer required.  Dispatch also advised Tow Boat US would be towing the vessel into Great Oak Harbor in Fairlee Creek.  Officer and I waited for approximately an hour inside Fairlee Creek but could not locate the described vessel or towboat, and therefore left the area.
  
  On September 22, 2022, I contacted the US Coast Guard and obtained owner information for the 36-foot cabin cruiser.  Owner provided information for his boat which is a 36-foot Jeanneau NC 11 cabin cruiser with inboard 200 horsepower twin diesel motors.  
  
  Owner stated he and his friend had left Chesapeake City and were taking his boat down to Baltimore, traveling south in the Tolchester Channel between Worton and Fairlee Creek.  Owner said he had operated the vessel most of the morning but went to look at something in the owner’s manual, aft of the helm.  Owner said Subject1 took over operating the vessel and is an experienced boat operator.  Owner said he was looking for something in the owner’s manual for approximately ten minutes when suddenly the vessel turned hard to port and he saw a green navigational channel marker out of the starboard salon window.  The vessel struck the buoy and water immediately began pouring in through the starboard side of the hull.  Owner said he immediately began calling “maydays” over the radio and gathered up any electronics on the vessel, like cell phones and iPads.  Owner said he and Subject1 operated the vessel to the closest land which was “Button Beach”, between Worton Creek and Fairlee Creek.  Owner stated they ran the boat aground in approximately four feet of water to prevent the vessel from sinking. 
  
  Due to the large hole in the hull, water filled the lower half of the vessel.  Water filled to the cabin floor and damaged the vessels' electronics and engines.  Owner said Tow Boat US arrived on the scene and was able to temporarily patch the hole and tow the vessel into Worton Creek Marina.  The vessel was removed from the water and is being stored on land at Worton Creek Marina.  I went to Worton Creek Marina and took photos of the damaged vessel.  I observed an approximately one foot in diameter hole on the starboard bow side of the hull of the vessel as well as a split in the fiberglass on the starboard stern side of the hull of the vessel.
  
  Owner provided me with information for the watercraft accident report over the phone and advised me he would have Subject1 contact me via phone.
  
  On September 23, 2022, Subject1 contacted me by phone and provided me with his information, and gave a brief description of events that matched Owner's narrative.  Subject1 advised he did not see the green buoy until the last second and swerved to avoid it.  Subject1 said he believed the buoy was marked in the "30's."
  
  On September 23rd I also contacted United States Coast Guard's Aid to Navigation Team who advised the buoy that was struck was "Upper Chesapeake Lighted Buoy #33."  The team advised there was no damage done to the buoy other than paint transfer and no further action was needed to address the collision.
  
  The investigation is complete.
  
  All events occurred in Kent County, Maryland.
  