RedactedNarrative: On February 25, 2019 at approximately 12:00 p.m., I (Officer of The Maryland Natural Resources Police) was on patrol when I received a call from the Natural Resources Police communications center about a vessel on fire on the Chesapeake Bay/South of Cove Point. The Natural Resources Police communications center advised that the operator of the vessel was being transported to MedStar Saint Mary's Hospital at 25500 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650 by Pax River ambulance #138 at approximately 12:13 p.m. After collecting initial information from the Natural Resources Police communications center, the victim was identified. 
  
  At approximately 1:10 p.m. Cpl. of the Maryland Natural Resources Police and I arrived to St Mary's MedStar hospital. At approximately 1:30 p.m. Cpl. and I conducted an interview with Victim in Room #12. I asked him to describe the incident in as much detail as he could to Cpl. and I. Victim advised he is the owner of the vessel. The vessel is a white 31" 1967 Columba Sailboat bearing Maryland boat Registration number 7999 AU, HIN #561917. Victim said that at 07:30 a.m. he checked the weather forecast. At approximately 08:30 a.m., he operated his vessel to leave the pier located at Kingfishers Seafood Bar & Grill, 14442 Solomon's Island Rd S, Solomon's, MD 20688. He was the only occupant on the vessel. He was underway to store his vessel at Tall Timbers Marina, St Mary's County MD. Victim stated that the light conditions were "clear with no clouds or fog". He also stated that "the water was very choppy due to the waves". At approximately 11:00 a.m. While traveling south in the area of Cedar Point Sanctuary (off of the Chesapeake Bay,near the Patuxent Naval Air Station) when his engine cut off. He smelled smoke coming from the engine compartment. When he opened the compartment, he saw fire coming from the engine. He extinguished the fire with a Type B Fire extinguisher he had on board. 
  
  During that time Victim inhaled smoked and fumes. He said the hairs of his arms have been "singed from the fire" and had redness on both wrists from "contact with hot oil coming from the compartment". He started to feel dizzy and said he hit his head on the "lip" of the vessel. After putting out the fire, he launched one flare into the air and then called 9-11. While on the phone with dispatchers, he said he felt as if he was" going to pass out". Victim launched a second flare that failed to attract the attention of a vessel in the distance. Victim stated that he didn't let the anchor down because he "feared falling into the water". While on the phone with 911 he saw two vessels approaching towards his. He stated that they were both from the Naval base. Once he arrived on land he was transported to MedStar hospital. While interviewing, Cpl. asked Victim if he had his boater safety certification. He said he "took a course from the DNR website two months ago". Victim said he has approximately "10 hours total" of boating experience. All of his belongings are still on board, including the keys to his vehicle. The sailboat is his current place of residence. He stated that he has Tow Boat USA "Gold" insurance as of 2/22/19. He said his insurance will "be active 30 days after 2/22/19". I was able to obtain a Victim statement report from Victim while he was admitted at MedStar Saint Mary's Hospital at 25500 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Victim was unable to write on his own and asked me to write for him. After reading what was written, he signed the victim witness statement. The Victim statement has been scanned and attached to the report. U.S. Coast Guard was unable to tow the vessel or secure it due to the large size of the vessel and hazardous wind and sea conditions. The last known position is on N 39 07.41/ W076 17.3 I was not able to conduct an investigation of the vessel to determine the cause, document damage and inspect required equipment. Victim was made aware that he was still responsible for the vessel. A copy of the boat accident report was not given to Victim.
  All Events occurred in Saint Mary's County, Maryland.
  There are currently no violations.
  This case is closed.