RedactedNarrative: On August 11, 2019, at approximately 1915 hours, I, Corporal was dispatched to respond to a property damage boat accident that had occurred on Deep Creek Lake at the docks adjacent to the Honi Honi bar located at 19745 Garrett Highway in Oakland, Maryland.  I arrived on scene at approximately 1920 hours, and met with the operator of the suspect vessel.
  
       Operator1 stated that he had struck another boat when attempting to leave the dock, and had returned when he noticed that damage had occurred.  Operator1 pointed to the struck vessel, a 2018 Crownline bearing Maryland registration 1773 LB, which was found to bear fresh damage to the fiberglass on its port rear corner. 
  
   MD 1773 LB was docked bow into its slip, with its starboard side secured to the dock, and its port side toward an open slip.  Operator1 stated that he was attempting to leave the dock when he had to put his vessel, a 2018 Yamaha pontoon boat bearing Maryland registration 1774 LB, into and out of gear multiple times as he was trying to point it toward open water.  
  
  Operator1 stated several times that he had very little experience in operating a vessel, and that the boat lurched forward and back when he was trying to turn around. Operator1 stated that after he struck the boat, he got out of the congested area of the dock, and immediately returned when he noticed the damage caused.  
  
  Operator1 stated several times that he was completely to blame, and was willing to reimburse whom ever owned the boat for the damages.  Inspection of the struck boat revealed that the front of Operator1's port pontoon had impaled the port rear corner of the victims vessel, causing crushed fiberglass, and an open hole in the hull just above the water line.  Damage on Operator1s pontoon was consistent with the victim vessel bearing fresh fiberglass fragments, and minor fresh scratches and dents. Upon speaking to Operator1, I detected a faint odor of alcohol, and asked if he had consumed any alcohol that day.  Operator1 stated that he had consumed two alcoholic drinks with his dinner, and when asked, his wife corroborated that account.  Operator1 did not display signs of impairment in my speaking with him.  Operator1 stated that there were 5 additional persons aboard his vessel at the time of the collision, and provided their names and dates of birth.
   
       The operator of the struck vessel arrived at the scene moments later and provided me with his identification and rental agreement.  Subject stated that he had secured his rented boat that afternoon so that his family could eat dinner at the Uno's restaurant, and did not witness the collision.  Subject’s vessel was secured in a manner that would not have created a navigational hazard to other boats in the area.  
  
       A dock attendant at the location stated that two female subjects had witnessed the collision, and wished to speak with me.  Two people were seated on the shoreline where the dock meets shore.  Both women stated that Operator1 was the operator of the vessel at the time that it struck the docked boat, and that he had put the boat into forward and reverse several times while applying a greater than normal amount of throttle causing the boat to lurch forward and back quickly as he attempted to leave the dock.  
  
       Weather conditions at the time were flat calm waters with no wind.  As a result of my investigation, Operator1 was issued one citation for a violation of the Inland Rules of Navigation (Rule 8 - Fail to avoid collision).  Operator1 stated that he was guilty and that he was deserving of the citation.  Operator1 advised that he would notify the Aquatic Center of the incident upon his arrival back at their dock.  Operator1 was released from the scene, and left the area without incident.  
  
       Due to the damage at the vessels waterline, I escorted subject and his family back to the Bill's Marine rental docks, the place from which the vessel had been rented.  Contact was made with the manager of Bills who advised that the vessel would be fine tied to the dock overnight, and that his staff would check it the following morning.  
  
       On August 12, 2019, I made contact with Bills Marine Service to obtain additional information on the damaged boat.  Bills Marine staff stated that damage amounted to a total of 4615.24.  Bills Marine staff stated that they had already been in contact with Operator1 who advised that he would compensate them for any damage.  I then made contact with Aquatic Center staff who provided me with additional information from their vessel which had been involved.  Aquatic Center staff stated that damage was so minor that they did not provide a monetary amount.  
  
       Digital photographs were taken of the two boats involved, and appropriate paperwork for the rented boats and operators to be attached to this report.
  
       All these events occurred in Garrett County, Maryland.
  