RedactedNarrative: On July 20, 2015 I, (Cpl.) was monitoring Ocean City's Emergency Services radio traffic. I heard Ocean City tone out for a vessel on fire south of the Sunset Marina. I heard them also request the United States Coast Guard to respond advising that there were people still onboard the vessel. Myself and Ofc.  responded to the area and observed a pontoon boat fully engulfed in flames located on the West side of the Sinepuxent Bay just East of the Mystic Harbor development. We observed a second pontoon boat near the vessel with a large number of people onboard. We learned that 7 of the occupants had been aboard the vessel which was now on fire. We confirmed that everyone was accounted for and transferred all occupants onto our patrol vessel. We then relayed the occupants to NRP 109 which was being operated by Sgt.  due to the severe weather and lighting occurring in the area. Sgt. transported all occupants safely to shore. I requested the Ocean City Fire Departments fire boat to respond for the vessel fire. Ocean City fire boat 1 arrived on scene but was unable to extinguish the flames due to the extremely shallow water in the area. While on scene I was notified that an investigator from NRP's criminal investigative division would be responding. I contacted Worcester Central and requested a county fire marshal to respond to the incident as well. I was contacted by Fire Marshal Owens who confirmed that they would be responding. While on scene I observed the fire completely burn the vessel down to the water line so that there were only the pontoons and parts of the engine still visible. The investigation was then turned over to NRP's criminal investigation division as well as the Worcester County Fire Marshal's office. I checked the location at around 9:00PM and noted that the debris from the vessel appeared to have been removed from the area. All of the above events occurred in Worcester County, Maryland. 
   