RedactedNarrative: On July 10, 2021 at approximately 1641 hours Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to Livery initially to assist with disorderly conduct, however upon arrival Officers learned the issue was actually due to a vessel accident.  Upon arrival officers spoke to the owner of Livery.
  
      LIVERY OWNER stated that on July 10, 2021 at approximately 1400 hours he rented a 2020 Yamaha Jet Ski to a subject identified as OPERATOR 1, who was going to have his children on board.  LIVERY OWNER stated that the guide for the tour.  LIVERY OWNER stated to the best of his knowledge the jet ski had no significant damage prior to OPERATOR 1 taking the jet ski on a tour.  LIVERY OWNER stated that the jet ski tour was completed and he was not made aware of any issues occurring.  
  
  LIVERY OWNER stated that he then observed the rear of the jet ski sitting low in the water.  LIVERY OWNER stated that he began to inspect the jet ski and observed significant damage to the underside of the jet ski and the starboard side.  LIVERY OWNER stated that he removed the jet ski from the water and observed extensive damage to the jet ski.  LIVERY OWNER stated that he made contact with the last renter, OPERATOR 1 and advised him of the damage and that OPERATOR 1 was to be held responsible for the damage.  
  
  LIVERY OWNER stated that OPERATOR 1 was staying at the campground, so OPERATOR 1 returned back to the Office.  LIVERY OWNER stated that this is when OPERATOR 1 got irate and denied any wrong doing.  LIVERY OWNER stated that this is why he called the police.  LIVERY OWNER also stated that OPERATOR 1 was the last subject to have rented the jet ski, and the jet ski was not rented to anyone else.  The damage to the jet ski would have caused it inoperable, so according to LIVERY OWNER that damage was not there prior to OPERATOR 1 departing.  
  
  However LIVERY OWNER nor any of his guides actually completed an inspection of the jet ski prior to OPERATOR 1 departing.
  
  I was able to speak with OPERATOR 1.  OPERATOR 1 denied any wrong doing and advised that he did not strike anything.  Even when I advised him that LIVERY OWNER stated that no one else had rented the jet ski after him, OPERATOR 1 still denied any wrong doing.  However OPERATOR 1 did agree the damage to the jet ski was so extensive that who ever was operating it would have been aware they struck something.  OPERATOR 1 adamantly denied any wrong doing or having any collision. 
  
  
      I also spoke to a friend to OPERATOR 1, and was on the guided tour with OPERATOR 1.  He stated that he did not observe OPERATOR 1 strike or collide with anything.  
      I was able to speak with a subject who was camping at Frontier Town.  They did not observe any collision but advised that OPERATOR 1 was operating the jet ski at speed within the canals of Frontier Town.  The canals at Frontier Town are less then 100 feet from one side to the other.  They stated that other campers were yelling at OPERATOR 1 to slow down.  
      I did ask LIVERY OWNER if I could speak with the guide.  I was advised the guide had already left, and actually had lost his phone so I would not be able to speak with him.
      Based on the facts I had received to this point, OPERATOR 1 did receive citations.
      On July 12, 2021 I contacted livery in an attempt to make contact with GUIDE. I was advised by LIVERY OWNER that GUIDE was actually terminated due to several issues.  But I was provided a contact number for GUIDE.
  
      I was able to speak with GUIDE on July 12,2021 who stated the following.  GUIDE stated that he did take OPERATOR 1 on a guided tour in the Sinepuxent Bay to the East of Frontier Town.  GUIDE stated that he did not observe any issues.  GUIDE stated it was a two jet ski tour and he was able to keep eyes on the group the entire time.  Further GUIDE stated that the jet ski that OPERATOR 1 was on was rented after OPERATOR 1 finished his tour.  I was directed to contact GUIDE #2, who took the next tour out after GUIDE.
      I contacted GUIDE #2 who stated the following.  GUIDE #2 stated he did take another two jet ski tour out after, GUIDE returned with his group.  GUIDE #2 stated that he was able to keeps eyes on his group the entire time and did not observe any collisions.  GUIDE #2 stated that one of the riders took a wave which knocked him off the jet ski.  GUIDE #2 stated that when he went to help the rider he observed that the ski was full of water, so he put the rider on his jet ski, and GUIDE #2 took control of the jet ski that had water in it.  GUIDE #2 returned that jet ski to the dock.
  
  I made contact with LIVERY OWNER and advised him of what new information I have learned.  LIVERY OWNER stated the new information I had learned was incorrect, and that jet ski that GUIDE #2 was talking about lost a thrust washer which caused the water to begin coming in the jet ski.  LIVERY OWNER stated that jet ski that OPERATOR 1 was on, was not the one GUIDE #2 had in his tour.  I was able to make a follow up call to GUIDE #2, and GUIDE #2 stated that LIVERY OWNER was correct, and that he did not observe any damage to the ski, rather just observed it fill up with water.  LIVERY OWNER did E-mail me a clip of closed circuit television, however the angle and distance from the camera to where the jet skis are kept will not provide any additional evidence.  I attempted to upload the closed circuit camera footage however it would not upload into this report.  I have the clip preserved in my state E-mail as well as uploaded to my state computer if the video is requested in any fashion. 
  
      The jet ski damaged in this incident is described as a 2020 Yamaha VX 130 H.P. rotax powered, with Maryland registration 4113BR.  The damage to the ski is described as heavy fiberglass damage and dents below the waterline on the starboard side, including a hole that allowed water to enter.  Also there was extensive fiberglass damage above the waterline on the starboard side.  LIVERY OWNER stated that vessel was a total loss, the cost to repair the damage would exceed $12,000 which was the value of the jet ski.  
  
      The weather on the day of the alleged collision was air temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit with a water temperature of 74 degrees Fahrenheit.  The winds were out of the south at 10-15 MPH, and the vessel traffic was light.  OPERATOR 1 the alleged operator when the collision occurred  had less then 10 hours of vessel operating experience and received his boater safety card though Top Gun rentals.
  
      I did check the riding area for Top Gun.  I observed an abandoned duck blind close to the riding area.  I observed that this duck blind had pilings that were cut off just below the water line.  This duck blind also had the same vegetation that was on the jet ski after the collision.  I suspect  this is what was struck and caused the damage to the jet ski.  
  
      All above events occurred in Worcester County, Maryland.
  