RedactedNarrative: I received a call for service at approximately 1:13pm from Maryland Natural Resources Police Dispatch of a vessel taking on water in the Potomac River. The vessel was reported to be a Grady White center console about 20 feet long, about a mile and a half from an unknown marina and sinking with one person on board.
  We were underway on NRP111 from Point Lookout State Park at approximately 1:18pm to begin a search for the vessel. Saint Mary's County Fire and Rescue squads were also under way to assist with locating the vessel in distress. A request was also sent for the Maryland State Police (MSP) Helicopter to help with locating the vessel since its location was still unknown and a large area needed to be searched. At approximately 1:36pm MSP helicopter indicated it had located the vessel and rescue units began to make their way towards the circling Helicopter. The location was on the Potomac River, South of Saint Georges Island and between Saint Mary's River and Smith Creek entrances.
  We arrived on scene at 1:44pm with the partially sunken vessel and two fire/rescue boats who already had the operator safely aboard their vessel. With the vessel sinking quickly from the stern, we realized that letting the boat sink entirely was not a desirable outcome and decided to tow it. The boat operator stated he launched from Point Lookout State Park and would not hold us liable for any possible damage incurred by the towing/retrieval. We arrived back at Point Lookout State Park with the boat in tow at 2:54pm and the boat was placed on its trailer and retrieved.
  Observation of the boat after it was on the trailer revealed the transom had been cracked on both sides of the engine mounting brackets, causing water to leak in and sink the boat. When interviewing the boat operator, Operator 1, he stated he was at trolling speed when the engine cut out. When he looked back at it, the engine was already partially underwater and the stern of the boat already under a lot of water. He began to use the bilge pump which was unable to keep up, and then called for help over VHF. Operator 1 stated he had purchased the boat the previous day, a 1978 20' Grady White center console. I placed a follow up phone call to Operator 1 on August 3, 2020 inquiring about damage estimates. His response indicated repairs would cost approximately $8,000.00 for transom repairs, electronics and wiring replacement, and overhaul of the outboard engine.
  This case is closed.
  All events occurred in Saint Mary's County, Maryland
  