RedactedNarrative: On October 14, 2022, I (Corporal of the Maryland Natural Resources Police) was on duty in the area of Ocean City in Worcester County, Maryland. Around 11:20 P.M., I was with Sergeant when we received a call from dispatch in reference to a vessel over-turned in the surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Sgt. responded by land to 401 South Atlantic Avenue in Ocean City while Ofc. and I responded by vessel to the area which is located just south of the Ocean City Fishing Pier. Upon entering the Atlantic Ocean from the Inlet area, sea conditions were notably large. We were able to get close to the pier but going closer to the beach was impossible due to the wave faces being 4-5 foot. Once Sgt.2 confirmed with who was later identified as the owner/operator of the vessel that he was the only person who was on the vessel when it over-turned, we took our boat back to the station and put it away. Ofc and I then responded by vehicle. 
  
       Around 11:45 P.M., we arrived on scene and met with the operator of the vessel. He was an Asian male who spoke very broken English and his clothing was soaked. We were able to ascertain that his vehicle was at the West Ocean City Commercial Harbor and he had dry clothes in there. Ofc gave him a ride there. Operator then changed into something dry and drove back his own vehicle to meet us at the scene of the accident. In the mean time I was able to identify the vessel from the beach as an 18 foot Key Largo vessel. It was currently upside down on the edge of the surf and beach. The vessel displayed a Maryland registration number. When a larger wave would come, the vessel would lift slightly and would drift north towards the pier. Ocean City Police Department was also on scene and wanted to ensure no damage would be done to the pier. After several calls to local towing companies and county departments, we were unable to get anyone to come tow the vessel up the beach to safety remove it from the water. We decided that attaching a line to the vessel and to an Ocean City Police Department vehicle for the night would be the best call until we could arrange a tow in the morning. 
  
       Operator arrived and removed what gear had washed up on the beach and placed it into his vehicle. I asked Operator to respond back to the beach in the morning to help OCPD remove the vessel and he confirmed he would do that. I asked Operator what time he left the boat ramp and he told me at 10:30 P.M. he departed. He said he was trying to catch crabs on the pilings of the pier when a wave washed over top of him swamping the vessel. He then swam to shore luckily. 
  
        The next morning Operator met OCPD at the scene along with Croppers Towing. Croppers was able to fully remove the vessel, bring it to their shop, and place it on a trailer for Operator. Operator made disposition with Croppers and then proceeded back home. 
  
       Operator will be issued a citation for negligent operation. All events occurred in Worcester County, Maryland.
  