RedactedNarrative: On 6/12/16 at approximately 7:49pm, I , OFC. received a call for a capsized vessel on the Patuxent River, near Broomes Island. I was advised that all individuals from the vessel had been transported to Len's Marina in Broomes Island by a good Samaritan. The communications center advised that one subject was listed as near drowned, and would be flown to Prince Georges Hospital Center.  I responded by land to Len's Marina to make contact with the rest of the occupants of the vessel. Cpls responded by boat to the general area where the vessel capsized in an attempt to locate it, or any other items from the vessel.
  
        I arrived on scene at approximately 8:15pm. I made contact with EMS units from St. Leonard VFD, who were prepping the victim for med evac. They indicated that he was near drowned and unconscious, but CPR was not being performed. The victim was later identified. EMS units provided contact information for the good Samaritan. I then made contact with the other occupants of the vessel.     
  
        The owner and operator of the vessel was identified. The owner indicated that the vessel was a small open vessel, white in color, with a 35 hp Johnson outboard. The vessel was later verified as a 1978 14' Starcraft, aluminum boat bearing a registration of MD 1730 DA. The other passengers were identified. There was a language barrier between the occupants and I, but I was able to obtain a statement from subject. 
  
        Cpls were unsuccessful in locating the vessel, but did locate several items, including two coolers, a 5 gallon gas can, and two type II PFDs. These items were located closer to the western shore of the Patuxent, just south of Broomes Island. Assistance from MSP aviation was requested. Trooper 7 scanned the immediate area around Broomes Island and St. Thomas Creek, but was forced to terminate their search due to low fuel. 
  
       At approximately 10:10pm,  I was notified that the victim was listed in stable condition and was going to held overnight for observation. On 6/13/16 at approximately 8:40 am, I made contact with Victim at Prince Georges Hospital Center in Cheverly, MD. With the help of an interpreter, on staff, I was able to obtain a statement from Victim. Victim was later cleared by a physician and released.
  
        Based on the statements obtained, it is evident that the incident occurred as follows. At approximately 5:00 pm three people arrived at Len's Marina in Broomes Island, MD and began consuming beer. At approximately 5:35pm two arrived with the vessel, MD 1730 DA, in tow. The boat was launched, all five individuals donned PFDs, and then boarded the vessel before departing the marina at approximately 6:00pm. 
  
  Subject1 was operating the vessel in the area just north of Broomes Island for a short period of time and the party possibly engaged in fishing activity. At approximately 6:30pm Subject1 began heading towards the area of Greenwell State Park, as he neared marker number "16" at the tip of Broomes Island, wind and sea conditions began to worsen. Subject1 was navigating through waves of approximately three to five feet when a wave came over the bow of the boat causing it to flood and subsequently capsize. All five occupants were in the water for approximately 30 minutes to an hour before being spotted by a good Samaritan. 
  
  Victim indicated that while he was wearing a PFD when the vessel capsized, it was not properly secured and he lost it while in the water. Also while in the water, Victim made several attempts to recover personal belongings from inside the capsized vessel. Victim was able to secure an orange type IV throw ring and two orange PFDs to the bow of the capsized vessel. At some point Victim became temporarily entangled in a line attached to vessel, causing him to be pulled under water several times before he was able to free himself. 
  
  All five individuals were pulled onto good sam vessel, where Victim became unconscious before being transported back to Len's Marina. At Len's Marina, all five occupants were assessed by emergency medical personnel. Victim was air lifted to Prince George's Hospital Center by Trooper 7 and the other four occupants refused treatment at the scene.
  
        At this time it appears that weather/sea conditions, operator inexperience, and possibly overloading were contributing factors to this accident. 
  
        Charges may be filed pending the outcome of the investigation. 
  
        The investigation is still ongoing. 
  
  
  