RedactedNarrative: On 9/28/2019 at 11:26 am, a full rescue assignment was dispatched to the area of the Chesapeake Bay East of Bodkin Point for an overturned vessel with six people in the water. Once responding, units were advised of a Good Samaritan rescuing all six subjects with no injuries and everyone accounted for. The six persons on-board were transported to Rockhall in Kent County. NRP Officer was requested to respond to their locations to conduct interviews and obtain identification. 
  
  I (Officer) responded to the location of the overturned vessel. It was located still capsized. Tow Boat US arrived shortly afterwards and began contact with the owner, in order to arrange the recovery. The vessel was up-righted and towed to Atlantic Marina for temporary storage. I escorted the vessel to the marina and took several photos that have been attached to the report. Sufficient PFD's located on the vessel. The Type IV was located floating next to the vessel. The fire extinguisher was properly stored and charged. 
  
  While I was on the scene of the overturned vessel, I would observe the following;
  
  Surf- two to three foot wave height, occasional four foot height
  Wind - SSW 9-11 knots with gusts 13-19
  Air Temp- 74.8 degrees
  Water Temp-73.5 Degrees
  Water Depth- 22 feet
  On Scene (NRP 850)GPS coordinates- N39 06.456  W076 21.237
  Weather info obtained from Bouy Data #44063
  
  Due to the owner/operator damaging his cellphone, I was unable to interview him regarding the incident. I obtained his email from LTD Portal and sent him an email. 
   
  On September 29, 2019, Subject1 contacted me regarding the accident. The following pertinent information was obtained;
  
  - Vessel was purchased used for $5000 including the trailer
  - The outboard motor was purchased for $2200.
  - The motor was a 1996 Johnson 112 HP 2 stroke
  - Only insurance on the vessel was for liability through Progressive
  - Subject1 received a week long sailing training course and obtained his Boating Safety Certificate. Safety Certificate downloaded in attachments.
  - He would estimate his experience with boating to being equivalent to 110 hours.
  - The trip was to Hart-Miller Island for two days of camping with friends.
  - He searched weather.gov during the week leading up to departure.
  - He reports the Marine Zone Forecast called for one foot waves and chance of showers.
  - He departed from Tucker Street in Annapolis with four people on board including himself.
  - He then traveled to Hemingway's Restaurant and picked up two more friends, giving a total number of POB's being six.
  - He then traveled from Hemingway's Restaurant North towards Hart-Miller Island. He has done this trip several times in past.
  - The trip was approximately 13-14 miles.
  - Float plan was verbalized to his girlfriends parents prior to departure.
  - He estimated his speed as being 13-14 MPH, having looked at his GPS several times.
  - Weight was distributed what he believed accordingly inside the vessel.
  -  After about 7 miles in the trip, the boat dropped speed to 5 mph and then picked back up.
  - Passengers observed water coming up through front floor area and appeared bilge to be overwhelmed.
  - He then put the bow down and more water was coming in and attempts were made to bail water with a jug and the POB's shift weight in the boat. The motor then stopped.
  - A wave then came over the bow and the boat capsized from starboard size, throwing everyone overboard.
  - A Good Samaritan vessel was approximately 200 yards away and observed the vessel capsize. It responded over and picked up everyone. 
  - There were no reported injuries.
  - Most of all the camping equipment was lost and everyone who had phones were damaged.
  - One POB was wearing a PFD. The remainder were stored in storage compartments. The Type IV was found floating next to the vessel. 
  - He advised that he believed the vessel was overloaded which caused the issue.
  
  I compiled the body weights of all the occupants according to MVA records. The total human weight was approximately 1000 lbs. (Capacity plate is 1900lbs) I am unable to determine the weight of the gear on-board the vessel due to most of it being lost. Based on the capacity plate, it was not overloaded by persons and had an additional 900 lbs to spare for gear etc. It appears that maybe the distribution of weight was not placed accordingly within the boat. Additionally, the owner/operator estimated speed was 13-14 mph, which probably did not put the vessel properly on plane, and did not allow the bilge pump ports to ride above the water line and filling the boat with water.
  
  
  No further information to report. Case closed
  