RedactedNarrative: Officer, of Maryland’s Natural Resources Police assigned to Area 1 in Worcester County Maryland, along with OFC was dispatched to a medical emergency in the St. Martin River near Hemfriendl’s in Ocean City Maryland on September 18, 2022. The owner/operator of an older model custom pleasure boat was found unconscious in the water and may have suffered a heart attack. Dispatch stated that CPR was initiated by the only other occupant of the vessel.
  
  Upon our arrival, fire and EMS providers from Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department were making contact with the patient in the marsh near Hemfriendl docks. The medics were transported to the patient by a good Samaritan vessel in the area. The patient was loaded onto a backboard and transported to shore before being transported by ambulance to Tidal Health Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland.
  
  OFC and I met with the passenger of the vessel where it had drifted up onto the nearby marsh. The passenger, still onboard. Subject1 stated that he and his friend were out for a “cruise to burn out the gas in the boat” before winterizing it, when they decided to drift and “chill for a bit.” He went on to say that Operator1 unexpectedly jumped from the vessel as if he was going to go swimming “just to be funny.” Subject1 did not see Operator1 resurface after jumping into the water until several minutes later he noticed Operator1’ body floating, face down, in the water about 20 yards away from the vessel. Subject1 jumped from the vessel into the water to help his friend. Upon reaching Operator1, Subject1 turned him face up and swam him to shore a few yards away. Once on shore, Subject1 began providing CPR and rescue breaths. According to both Subject1 and medical personnel on scene, Operator1 began to cough and breathe on his own before EMS arrival.
  
  OFC and I initially towed the vessel to the dock. While inspecting the vessel and interviewing Subject1, there were several empty Natural Light beer cans on the boat along with a handle of hard liquor in plain view. Subject1 stated that he did not consume any alcoholic beverages, but his eyes were glassy, his mood labile, and there was a slight odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath. Due to his lack of boating experience, Subject1 requested that I take the vessel back to the Shell Mill boat ramp in Bishopville, Maryland. 
  
  As I boarded the vessel and attempted to start it, I noted that the removable fuel tank was empty. I switched to the second removable fuel tank and started the vessel without issue. When I questioned Subject1 about the vessel's fuel status, he stated that he was unaware the boat was out of fuel. He went on to say that they had "stopped to chill and float for a bit" before his friend went overboard. 
  
  
  I took control of the vessel bearing Maryland registration and sailed to the Shell Mill boat ramp without issue. The vessel was then secured to the pier at the boat ramp. I gave the keys to both the vessel and pick-up truck to Subject1 with the instructions to walk to the residence. Subject1 verbalized understanding of the directions, locked the pickup truck, and walked.
  
  Around 1800 hours I along with OFC returned to check on the vessel. It had been removed from the waters and secured in her and Operator1’s driveway. She was aware of the events that transpired while Subject1 and Operator1 were underway and stated that due to her health conditions she was unable to immediately respond to the hospital.
  
  On September 19, 2022, I spoke with medical personnel caring for Operator1 to get an update on his condition. Throughout our conversation, I was able to determine that his BAC was 0.35 when he arrived at the ER. Due to the severity of Operator1’s injury/ current condition I will be filing to subpoena for his medical records for this case.
  
  Information and photographs were collected from all parties for an accident report.
  All events occurred in Worcester County Maryland.
  
  On 09/26/2022 at approximately 1130 hours I, OFC.  of the Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to Tidal Health in Salisbury, Maryland for a follow up. 
  
  Upon arrival, I made contact with the Operator1, the victim from this related incident. I interviewed Operator1 about the events that occurred on 09/18/2022. Operator1 stated he would provide me with a statement but couldn't physically write it himself. Operator1 said he was fine with me writing it for him. Operator1 said him and his friend took his boat out that afternoon. Operator1 stated he didn't operate the boat due to him drinking earlier in the day, but he showed Friend how to operate the throttles due to them being extremely sensitive and could cause the boat to capsize, if done improperly. Operator1 said they departed the boat ramp and idled for a while and ended up somewhere in the St. Martin's river. Operator1 said he moved to the stern of the vessel and attempted to assemble some fishing lures on his rods, when Friend must of put the vessel into gear throwing him into the water. Operator1 stated he returned to the surface of the water but then things went black and he doesn't remember anything after that. Operator1 said he didn't feel that Friend did it intentionally or maliciously. 
  
  After Operator1 finished his statement we went through and confirmed all the details I had written down and he stated that it "looked fine." I had Operator1 sign in his respected lines and I did the same.
  
  Cleared Tidal Health without further incident. All the above events occurred in Wicomico County, Maryland. 
  
  Based on the information gathered throughout follow up interviews for this case, I will not be pursuing charges for Operator1 nor Subject1. This appears to be an alcohol related vessel accident where both parties were highly intoxicated. It is unclear who operated the vessel, as each of the reporting parties accuse the other of operating the vessel prior to the drowning. Subject1 and Operator1 have both stated that there was no malicious intent and Operator1 being throw overboard was accidental. Since both parties have separated amicably and neither wishes to pursue charges, this report will be utilized for reporting purposes only.
  