On 08/26/2023, at approximately 0637 PM, I, Officer First Class of the Maryland Natural Resource Police, responded for a boat accident involving a sixty year old male who had fallen overboard and suffered a propeller strike to the right upper leg. 

I was accompanied by Corporal also of the Maryland Natural Resource Police. The involved vessel was a 24ft Tracker Pontoon vessel, Delaware registration, with 4 occupants. The vessel was being operated by the owner. 

            We arrived on-scene at approximately 0645 PM at the Chestertown Marina where we met with subjects who were still aboard the vessel. Victim had already been transported by EMS and was en route to Baltimore Shock Trauma. I spoke with Operator, who advised that the accident occurred on the Chester River at Hambleton Creek.

            The vessel had just left a sandbar in the Chester River off of Hambleton Creek on the Queen Anne County side, and were cruising at approximately 10 knots. Victim was at the bow of the pontoon vessel, inside the railing, and was attempting to close and secure the gate on the bow. Victim pushed down on the gate, but it did not seat into its bracket and instead swung outward, and he fell overboard. 

Operator stated that he immediately turned off the motor and began raising it. Victim surfaced at the stern of the vessel, with his swim trunks caught in the motor's propeller. It was not until the other occupants of the vessel had helped Victim climb into the boat that it was noticed he had a 4-6 inch laceration on the backside of his upper right leg. They immediately called for EMS, and went to Chestertown Marina to meet them.

            Victim was interviewed at Baltimore Shock Trauma by Officer First Class of the Maryland Natural Resource Police. It was advised that Victim had received stitches, and had been released.

            The weather conditions were clear skies, calm seas, a calm northeast wind, and there was light traffic in the area.

            No violations had occurred.

            All events took place in Queen Anne, Kent, and Baltimore Counties, Maryland.

            This case is closed.

Chester River, Chestertown
Chestertown                   