RedactedNarrative: On 3/28/2022 at approximately 1857hrs., Calvert County received a boating emergency call involving a broken-down houseboat and the sinking of a recreational tugboat that was attempting to tow it near the Talbot and Calvert County line on the Chesapeake Bay. All individuals on the sinking tugboat were able to get on to the houseboat safely before it completely submerged in the water. United States Coast Guard (USCG) was able to get to the houseboat and get all individuals on board safely. USCG was unable to tow the houseboat in until the next morning due to the water conditions.
  
      On 3/29/2022, I, Ofc., of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, contacted the USCG and requested details for the information they had in regards to the sunken vessel. I was informed that they would provide me the details the following day.
  
      On 3/30/2022, I contacted USCG and was informed the following:
  
  Location Vessel Sunk: 38 40.312’N, 76 25.772’W
  Location Vessel is located on bottom: 38 40.1485’N, 76 25.6887’W.
  Hire Status: Captain did this job voluntarily. No money exchanged.
  Insurance: None
  Salvage Plan: None
  Vessel (that sunk): Jeanne G(Tug), Documentation #: 298405, Year: 1965, Non-commercial, 47ft, Sunk
  Vessel: Sabine Star(House Boat), VIN#: MD1490CD, Hull ID: MDZ47807C357, Year: 1957, Non-Commercial, 60ft, Afloat
  I contacted Subject1 who informed me he is the owner of the vessel that had sunk, then stated that he was busy and to contact him at a later date.  I then contacted Operator1 and confirmed he was the operator of the vessel that had sunk. He then stated that he was busy and to contact him the next day.
  
                  On 3/31/2022, I contacted Operator1 and asked if he could describe the events that had occurred on the evening the vessel sunk. Operator1 explained that Subject1 is a good friend of his and had just recently purchased both the houseboat and the tugboat that were involved. Subject1 had asked him to tow the houseboat (that did not run) with the tugboat to the Caribbean for him, to which he agreed. 
  
  While Operator1 and his crew were towing the houseboat, they heard a loud bang aboard the tugboat. While investigating what the sound was, they realized their vessel was taking on water at a fast rate. They tried to pump the water out but could not keep up with the rate at which it was coming in. He realized they were sinking so he pumped out all the diesel fuel into large bins they had onboard and sealed them shut to prevent pollution of the water. He then maneuvered the tugboat along side the houseboat so they could get off the sinking vessel. 
  
  While climbing onto the houseboat, Occupant1 fell into the water but was lifted onto the houseboat in a short amount of time. Everyone onboard the sinking tugboat was able to get onto the houseboat safely. The tugboat was completely submerged in the water within 30 minutes of it first taking on water. They were then drifting freely on the houseboat because it did not run. They waited till USCG got to them and picked them up. He stated the waters were fairly rough and steadily got worse as everything was happening because the winds were picking up. I then asked him if he knew if Subject1 had a salvage plan for the sunken vessel to which he stated he did not believe so and that he thinks Subject1 is planning on just leaving it there. Operator1 also informed me that he lives in Florida and that Subject1 lives in South Carolina.
  
                  After speaking with Operator1, I contacted Subject1, who refused to speak with me or answer any questions until he spoke to a lawyer. I then contacted State Police in order to obtain a birthdate and address for Subject1.
  
  
  
  