RedactedNarrative: On September 2, 2018, at approximately 1:42 P.M. Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to a call for a vessel taking on water near the Route 450 Bridge on the Severn River. Upon arriving on scene I observed a vessel partially sunk at the Severn Inn Restaurant's pier located on the Severn River. The vessel's bow was up in the air and the entire stern was under the water except for the tops of the outboard engine covers. A good Samaritan was able to assist the vessel owner with tying up his vessel to the pier to prevent it from sinking any further.  
  
       Good Sam stated that she was having lunch at the Severn Inn when she observed Operator's vessel drifting in the middle of the Severn River near the Naval Academy with the stern of the vessel sitting considerably low in the water. Good Sam stated that as the vessel was drifting towards the east side of the river she noticed a piece of white material that was floating in the water not far from where Operator's vessel was first observed drifting. Good Sam stated that as Operator's vessel continued to drift towards her location the stern continued to fill up with water and the vessel began to "turtle" but never fully rolled over. Good Sam stated that by the time Operator's vessel reached her location the bow was completely up in the air and there was considerable water coming in over the stern. Good Sam, with the assistance of another good Samaritan, was able to secure Operator's vessel to prevent it from sinking any further.
  
       I then talked to the vessel owner, who was uncertain about how exactly his vessel took on so much water. Operator stated that he was floating out in the middle of the Severn River near the Naval Academy talking to his brother on the phone when a good Samaritan flagged him down and advised that his vessel was taking on a considerable amount of water in the stern. Operator then observed that the water pump exhaust on both outboard engines was under water as well as the bilge exhaust. Operator asked the good Samaritans if they would be able to give him a tow but they were afraid to do that because of the amount of water Operator's vessel was taking on. Operator then attempted to make his way back to his dock which was located on the east side of the river across from the Naval Academy. Operator stated that as he was attempting to make his way back to his dock he lost all forward propulsion despite the fact that his engines were still running. Operator stated that he eventually lost all power to both outboard engines and was dead in the water. Operator stated that he then began drifting towards the Severn Inn's dock where he was then helped by Good Sam. I asked Operator what he thought contributed to his vessel taking on water and he was uncertain. Operator advised that earlier in the day his bilge pump was operational and he stated that he had not removed the bilge plugs.
  
       Operator then contacted Tow Boat U.S. and they were able to provide him with a pump out. I asked Tow Boat U.S. employee what he thought contributed to Operator's vessel taking on so much water and he advised that one of the bilge covers was missing. It is my assumption that the white piece of material that Good Sam had observed earlier was the missing bilge cover on Operator's vessel. Subject advised that Operator's vessel must have taken considerable waves over the stern and, without a bilge cover, the bilge filled up very quickly and overwhelmed the bilge pump causing the vessel to take on so much water. The consensus amongst both members of Tow Boat U.S. and Operator was that both Suzuki outboard engines sustained considerable if not total irreversible damage. Operator valued both engines at $30,000 and the total value of the vessel at $80,000. Operator does believe however that his batteries and his Hummingbird electronic fish finder are intact and did not suffer any damage. The vessel itself was able to be salvaged by members of Tow Boat U.S. and they towed it to Port Annapolis Marina where a mechanic will appraise the damage sustained to both outboard engines.
  
       Based on the total value of both outboard engines I will be completing a vessel accident report but will be waiting to hear back from Operator on the total monetary value of damage sustained to the vessel. Operator will also be getting back to me with his insurance provider's name as well as the policy number. Operator was the only individual onboard the vessel at the time of the accident and did not sustain any injuries as a result of the accident. Operator will be following up with me at a later date and I will be issuing a supplemental report in the coming days. All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
  