RedactedNarrative: Synopsis:
  
    On 10/21/2017 at approximately 2300 hours, Vessel #1 "Habits of Health" operated by Operator1 left his private dock with four persons on board. They entered into the channel of Harness Creek traveling south. The vessel was reportedly traveling less than five knots. Vessel #2 "Misty's Destiny" occupied by one person was anchored in Harness Creek outside of Quiet Waters Park on coordinates N38.56.242 / W076.30.649. The bow of Vessel #2 was pointed in a northerly direction. Vessel #2 burned an anchor light and a cabin light before collision. As Vessel #1 approached Vessel #2, it struck Vessel #2 starboard amidships causing minor property damage to Vessel #2. There was no visual damage to Vessel #1. 
  
     The investigation revealed that although there was a lookout onboard Vessel #1 at some point prior to the collision, the lookout should have been on deck sooner to adequately warn the captain.  It appears that the lookout entered onto the deck too late to adequately warn the captain prior to the collision. Vessel #1 stopped and made sure there were no injuries and rendered information to occupant of Vessel #2. The captain of vessel #1 admitted total responsibility.
  
  Investigation:
  
      On 10/22/2017 at approximately 0900 hours, the Investigating Officer (I/O) responded to Harness Creek for an boat accident that occurred on 10/21/2017 at approximately 2300 hours. Upon arrival, the I/O met with two people aboard their 2004 Hunter Sailboat "Misty's Destiny" (Vessel #2). The I/O immediately observed damage to the starboard side of the vessel near amidships. V2 subject explained that approximately 2300 hours she was in the cabin reading and her husband had taken the dinghy to Quiet Waters Park to walk the dog when her boat was struck by another sailboat. 
  
     V2 subject indicated that she heard a person speaking loudly prior to the accident, "Go to Port, Go to Port, Go to Port", then the collision. She stated the vessel "Habits of Health" backed off after the collision and made sure she was okay. A subject named gave her a cell number and exchanged information. V2 subject stated no one else came on the deck and spoke with her. V2 subject stated there were no injuries and she was satisfied at that time everything was okay. Her husband heard the collision and turned the dinghy back around and rowed back to his vessel. 
  
     V2 subject were anchored in Harness Creek near Quiet Waters Park for the weekend. They had their anchor light on and there was a light on in the cabin at the time of the collision. V2 subject stated "Habits of Health" eventually left and cruised out to the South River. 
  
     At approximately 0100 hours the boat returned and went back to their dock at the upper part of Harness Creek. She pointed at the vessel and the I/O observed it tied off at the dock. 
  
     At approximately 0930 hours, the I/O traveled to the striking vessel tied off at a private dock. The vessel "Habits of Health" (Vessel #1) was observed to have it's running lights still illuminated. I walked along the vessel and observed wine bottles and beer bottles in the rack in front of the helm. 
  
     The I/O walked up to the main house observing water bottles, plastic containers, clear plastic cups with a red substance in the bottom of the cups scattered throughout the yard and patio. I was immediately met by subject3. I told her I was there about the boat accident. She told me that they took out a few friends last night to watch the meteorite show when the accident occurred.  She advised that they had a Homecoming Photo Session for the St. Mary's High School Class and they ventured out on the boat after. She indicated that there was a lot of people at the house. She stated that the adults were drinking a little and the kids were drinking water. The I/O asked to speak with the captain of the vessel "Habits of Health". She advised that was her husband and he was sleeping. 
  
     She awoke her husband who greeted me. Operator1 was wearing Oakley Sunglasses, Black Jeans and a shirt upon exiting the house. The I/O asked Operator1 about the accident as we walked towards the boat. Operator1 stated that they took out several friends out to see the Meteorite show near Thomas Point. As they exited the dock, Operator1 was not really clear on where everyone was sitting. He stated it was dark and he could not see all that well out of his windshield / isinglass. He stated that subject4 was somewhere on the boat not sure what side. He had asked subject4 to keep a watch. Operator1 again was not sure if subject4 was in the cockpit or leaning out of the cockpit or on deck. As they were underway, Operator1 could not state with any certainty whether he observed (Vessel #1) an anchored vessel in Harness Creek. He stated he saw an orange light not a white light at some point either before or after the collision. The I/O asked Operator1 several times about seeing the light and he was not sure. 
  
     Operator1 stated during the short time he was underway, subject4 yelled to him "Go to Port, Go to Port" and then the collision occurred. Operator1 stated he was following the chart plotter using the same tracks as he has done numerous times because Harness Creek is shallow in areas and his boat draws eight foot of water at the time of the collision. I asked Operator1 if he had been drinking during the evening. Operator1 stated he may have had one glass of wine the whole evening and was not drinking on the boat. Operator1 stated that he is totally at fault and will take care of the damages. 
  
     Attached to the report are statements from Lori Andersen and Operator1 the owners of the "Habits of Health", and numerous photos. 
  
     All events occurred in Anne Arundel County.
  