RedactedNarrative: On 09/07/2019 at 1715 hours I received a radio dispatch from DNR Communications of a boat accident that occurred on Deep Creek Lake, Garrett County, Maryland.   The accident involved property damage with no personal injuries reported.  The vessel was a rental from Lake Life Boat Rentals (Deep Creek Marina) and the renters were now returning the damaged vessel. 
  
       I responded and arrived at Lake Life Boat Rentals at 1731 hours.  I made contact with the rental staff and the renter/operator of the vessel.  I identified the operator. There had been one other passenger on board the vessel at the time of the accident. The rental staff escorted me to the rental vessel so that I could see the damage.  I observed a Sea Ray vessel, black in color, bearing Maryland registration MD 1841 LB.  It was a 19' ski boat with an aluminum tube tower, black in color.  The white stern light attachment was in the center and atop the tower.  There was damage indicating impact to the front of the light attachment.  The tower itself was broken in half at the light attachment.  An additional aluminum brace had broken completely off.  There was a crack in the aluminum tower where it attached to the vessel's port side.  I photographed the vessel and the observed damage.  
        Once back on shore I spoke to Operator and Subject1 about the incident, separately.  I spoke to Operator first.  Operator stated once again that he was the operator on board the vessel at the time of the accident.  He stated that he asked the rental staff how to get to Carmel Cove (Meadow Mountain Cove).  No one had mentioned that he was not to go under the bridge.  He stated that there were no signs that stated that the vessel would not fit under the bridge.  Operator stated that he observed the minimum wake buoy prior to the bridge.  He was operating in idle gear and going very slow.  He saw other vessels in the cove on the other side of the bridge.   Operator advised that while going under the bridge, the light attachment on the top of the tower struck the bridge.  There was a loud noise and part of the tower fell down into their rental boat.  
       I interviewed Subject1 second.  Subject1 stated that he was seated on the left side of the boat beside the operator seat.  Subject1 statement was similar to Operator's statement.  Subject1 made the comment to me that they (Operator and Subject1),upon seeing the bridge, said to each other "Man that is a low bridge."  Subject1 stated that the vessel was going real slow.  He heard a loud crack.  A part of the vessels tower came down into the vessel and he realized that they had hit the bridge with the tower.  
       Operator picked up his other passengers at the rental house and spent the day on the lake.  He returned at the end of his daily rental.  The tower was tied together with the electrical wire attached to the white stern light at the top of the tower.  Both stated the accident occurred soon after picking the vessel up at Lake Life Rentals.  Both stated around 1030 hours.  
       Deep Creek Marina provided an estimate of the damage to Operator.  It totaled $7,446.28.  This estimate includes parts, labor, taxes, and freight.  A copy of the estimate is attached.  Photographs of the vessel are attached. 
       Subject1 admitted to me that the accident was his fault and responsibility.  I issued DNR citation for Failure to Maintain a Proper Lookout (Rules of the Road #6).  During their interviews both individuals on board the vessel seemed surprised when they hit the bridge, indicating that they were not observing how close the vessel was getting to the bridge.  I also issued Subject1 one warning for Negligent Operation of a Vessel.