On August 13, 2023, at approximately 1841 hours I, Officer of the Maryland Natural Resources Police was dispatched to South River Jet Ski Rentals located at 48 S River Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037 in reference to a property damage boating accident involving two rented jet skis. The complainant was identified as the owner of the rental company. 

Upon arrival at approximately 1914 hours, I met with Subject1 who advised he had rented two jet skis that were returned damaged, and he believes they were involved in a collision. Vessel One is identified as a green in color Kawasaki jet ski bearing Maryland registration. Vessel Two is identified as a blue in color Yamaha jet ski bearing Maryland registration. The customers were later identified using their state issued driver's licenses.

I observed Vessel One to be undamaged with a small amount of blue paint transfer on the bottom starboard side of the vessel towards the stern. I further observed that Vessel Two sustained scuff marks and damage to the fiberglass hull of the vessel on its port side. The damage to Vessel Two can be described as a hole in the fiberglass. All damages were photographed on scene and attached to this report. 

I spoke with guide who advised that she acted as a guide during the time Operator1 and Operator2 rented the jet skis. Guide advised in the South River near Red Marker #12 she observed Operator1 and Operator2 operating the jet skis parallel to one another. 

Guide stated she watched as both Operator1 and Operator2 were knocked off their skis at the same time near the other. Guide further stated she was not able to see if the jet skis collided as she observed "water" between the jet skis. Guide advised when she went up to the Operator1 and Operator2, she observed that Vessel Two was damaged and barely operational. Guide further advised she switched jet skis with Operator2 and operated Vessel Two back to the marina after several attempts to get it to start. 

I met with Operator2 who I immediately observed was irate and initially uncooperative. Operator2 advised that while operating Vessel Two he was jumping the wakes of other vessels at approximately "30 miles per hour." Operator2 advised he and Operator1 were jumping the same wake when he landed badly, damaging the jet ski and knocking him off the ski. Operator2 maintained that he and Operator1 did not collide, and the damage was caused by the wake. Operator2 insisted that he and Operator1 were always “100 feet” apart. I spoke with Operator1 who gave the same account of the events. Both Operator2 and Operator1 declined to give a written statement of the events.

Subject1 advised that Vessel One is not damaged and does not require repair. Subject1 further advised that he would obtain an estimate for the cost to repair Vessel Two but believes the vessel may be a total loss. I provided Subject1 with the case number associated with this report.


Case remains open pending further information to be obtained.

All the events occurred in Anne Arundel County, MD.

South River-South River(Rt 2) 
Edgewater                     