RedactedNarrative: On August 22nd, 2017 at approximately 5:58 pm, I (Off. Of the Maryland Natural Resources Police) responded Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital regarding a boating accident.  
  
        Officer and I arrived at Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital at approximately 6:39 pm.  Hospital staff informed us that the victim, Victim was in the ICU and heavily sedated.  I was able to speak with and receive a written statement from Victim’s boyfriend of 12 years.   Victim’s boyfriend was on the vessel with Victim at the time of the incident.  The Vessel is a 42’ Tartan Legacy Yacht, powered by an inboard Cummins 660 horsepower diesel motor.  The vessel is documented with the name “Jewel Box” and the port of call is Lewes, DE.
  
        Victim’s boyfriend’s recounting of the events is as follows:  On August 20th, 2017 Victim’s boyfriend and Victim had taken their boat out for a maiden voyage on the Potomac River.  Victim’s boyfriend was operating the boat when they decided to pull into Smith Creek around sunset(7:54 pm).  As they entered Smith Creek the boat began to have issues with the engine stalling at higher speeds.  Victim’s boyfriend was able to drive the boat at between 5-6kts without issue but beyond that, the boat would lose power and the engine would stall.    Victim’s boyfriend thought that he may have snagged a line or fish net in his engine propeller.  
  
        The boat was anchored in Jutland Creek, off of Smith Creek and just north of the Corinthian Yacht Club.  Victim’s boyfriend and Victim decided they would spend the night on the boat and check on the propeller in the morning.  
  
        On the morning of August 21st, 2017 at approximately 11:00 am, Victim decided she was going to jump into the water and swim down to investigate the propeller.  She grabbed a knife and climbed down into the water without a lifejacket.  Victim then dove down beneath the stern of the vessel to attempt to clear any line that the propeller had run afoul with.  After about 30 seconds passed, Victim’s boyfriend stated he started to become worried.  Another minute elapsed and it was then that Victim’s boyfriend noticed Victim, unresponsive, floating face down 20-30 feet from the boat.  
  
        Victim’s boyfriend jumped off the boat, into the water and began to swim towards Victim.  When he reached Victim, he turned her over and began to breathe into her mouth.  Victim started to breathe again but did not regain consciousness.  Victim’s boyfriend swam back to the boat while holding onto Victim.  
  
        Victim’s boyfriend was unable to lift Victim up into the boat.  He spent the next several hours in the water, holding onto both the boat and Victim, yelling for help.  At around 2:00 pm, Victim’s boyfriend stated that Victim regained consciousness long enough to help Victim’s boyfriend get her into the boat.  Victim’s boyfriend then attempted to hail NRP and any vessels in the area over Channel 16 on his VHF radio.  After receiving no response he called 911 from his cellphone.
  
        St. Mary’s County Fire and Rescue was dispatched at 2:09 pm and arrived on scene at 2:28 pm.  Victim was transported to Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital by St. Mary’s County EMS Ambulance #389.  Victim arrived at the hospital at 3:15 pm.  She was placed in the ICU with injuries consistent with drowning.
  
        I asked Victim’s boyfriend how much boating experience he had.  He stated that while this was his first motorboat.  he had owned various sailing boats since 1976 and had well over 1,000 hours of experience.  
  
   Victim’s boyfriend and Victim have been living aboard their boat since July 5th, 2017.
  
   Victim’s boyfriend stated that no alcohol had been consumed the day of the incident.
  
   I cleared from Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital at approximately 8:38 pm.
  
   On August 22nd, 2017 Victim was removed from the ICU and in stable condition.
  
  
   Victim and witness statements have been attached to this report. 
   All events occurred in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
   This case is closed.