On August 14, 2023 I, Officer First Class of the Maryland Natural Resources Police assigned to Kent County, received a call for an initial report of a boating accident. The incident occurred on August 1, 2023 at Sailing Associates, Inc. on the Sassafras River.  I spoke with the caller over the phone and made arrangements to meet him at his vessel (“Bruadar” USCG# 674840) at Sailing Associates on August 15, 2023. In the meantime, Subject1 emailed me photos of the damage to his vessel, a written witness statement from the dock hand, the registration/rental information for the at fault vessel (“Glory Days” rented from Haven Charters in Rock Hall, MD), and the contact information for the individual in charge of “Glory Days.”.

On August 15, 2023, I met with Subject1 at Sailing Associates at 8:00am to view the damage to his vessel. It was still at East Dock in Slip where the accident occurred. The damage matched what I’d seen in the pictures provided by Subject1 and all pictures are attached to this report. Subject1 stated he was not present at the time of the accident but the dock hand was there assist. 

I was able to meet with Dockhand who stated that the operator of “Glory Days” was attempting to back into Slip and was getting too close to the outermost piling on his starboard stern so the passenger on the stern shouted to go forward. 

At that point, the vessel had become diagonal across the slips and when the operator put the vessel in forward, his port side struck the aluminum arch on the stern of Subject1’s vessel docked in Slip, causing significant damage to both boats. 

The aluminum arch and solar panels on Subject1’s boat “Bruadar” were bent and shifted and there was also damage to the mast. The vessel “Glory Days” sustained a long hole in the port side upper deck and damage to the upper deck railing and canvas. Dockhand also noted that the cleats on all the outermost pilings for dock lines were damaged in the incident as well. Dockhand’s written statement of the events is attached to this report.

Dockhand stated that Subject2 identified himself after the incident and explained that he rented “Glory Days” from Haven Charters (20846 Rock Hall Ave Rock Hall, MD 21661). He provided all vessel and personal contact information as well as rental information to Dockhand immediately following the accident. They stayed the night in the slip at Sailing Associates and returned to Haven Charters in Rock Hall the next morning.

After finishing at Sailing Associates, I went to Haven Charters to speak with business owner and view the damage on “Glory Days.” The vessel is privately owned but rented out for recreational use through Haven Charters. Business owner had notified the owner of the incident and they had already done temporary repairs on the vessel. Business owner provided pictures of the original damage and they are attached to this report. Business owner also shared with me a written statement and drawing depicting the accident that Subject2 provided upon returning the boat.

I spoke with Subject2 as well as operator1 the phone to get their accounts of the incident. These two, and their wives respectively, were the four total occupants of the vessel. Subject2 was at the stern, Operator1 at the helm, and wives were both at the bow at the time of the accident. Both of their accounts matched all written and verbal statements given by all other parties. Subject2 and Operator1 both stated they had numerous years of boating experience as well as taken boating safety courses but misjudged the distance of the aluminum arch on the stern of the neighboring vessel at the time and miscalculated the space needed to get into the slip. No alcohol was involved and no injuries sustained. Operator1 stated he has rented numerous times from Haven Charters with Subject2 as his mate. They have never had any issues before. Business owner confirmed this.

All parties were provided with the report number for insurance purposes.

All events occurred in Cecil and Kent counties.

Cleared without further incident. Case can be closed.

78 George Street, Earleville
Georgetown                    