On 10/21/2023 at approximately 3:06 PM, I, Ofc. of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a report forwarded from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department of a 29-foot sailboat named "Capricio" sinking in Herring Bay with 1 person on board. I responded in unmarked patrol vehicle and boarded patrol vessel.

I arrived at a sunken sailboat at 3:27 PM at approximate GPS coordinates 38.74654, -76.54433.  The sailboat was a single-masted sloop with only the mast striking out of the water in approximately 7 feet of water. The vessel was later identified as a white 1983 C AND C Marc II with Maryland registration. Prior to my arrival, a good Samaritan sailing vessel in the area had picked up the boater in distress. The operator of the sunken vessel was later identified by driver's license. Operator1 reported no injuries and was able to get onto the Good Samaritan vessel before his sailboat was submerged. I escorted the Good Samaritan vessel with 3 persons on board (including the sunken sailboat operator) to Herrington Harbour North Marina at 389 Deale Rd, Tracys Landing, MD 20779. 

We arrived at the marina at 3:50 PM. I interviewed Operator1 about the boating accident, and he provided a written witness statement (attached to this report). He is part of a boat lease agreement with the Sailing Academy at 411 Deale Rd, Tracys Landing, MD 20779, and rented the vessel at approximately 2:00 PM. He transited out of Rockhold Creek and into Herring Bay under motor. Once he reached the Red number 2 Buoy he turned West into the wind to put sails up. He reported he was in bare idle forward with the engine. 

There was a heavy wind and Operator1 pushed the throttle more and felt a heavy vibration from the throttle through the boat. He then looked into the cabin of the vessel and observed about an inch of water. He lifted the engine compartment and saw a few inches of water in the compartment. The motor was still running, and he attempted to move the vessel under propulsion, but it would not move. 

The motor then shut off and water continued to seep into the vessel at a rate of approximately 1 inch per minute. He called 911 on his cell phone and reported that he was sinking. At 3:14 PM, Operator1 reported that there was approximately 30 inches of water in the vessel. Operator1 set the anchor for the vessel off the bow as it drifted over the long sandbar adjacent to the Red number 2 Buoy. At approximately 3:19 PM, the bow of the vessel submerged under the water. 

As the boat was sinking, the Good Samaritan vessel came alongside on the port side of the sinking vessel and Operator1 boarded the Good Samaritan vessel. The sinking sailboat was listing to the port side and the mast momentarily became entangled in the Good Samaritan's shrouds. The sailboat sunk and grounded at approximately 3:24 PM. 

The weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of a sustained Westerly wind of 20 knots and gusts to 30 knots with waves of 4 feet according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A Gale Warning was in effect until 6 PM. The air temperature was 64.8 degrees Fahrenheit and the water temperature was 67.3 degrees Fahrenheit. 

I asked Operator1 if he struck anything that might have loosened the keel strut/prop shaft and Operator1 said No, he was in the main channel. Operator1 was wearing his personal Type V inflatable life jacket and had also donned a Type II PFD when the vessel began sinking. He has approximately 60 hours of boating experience and has not taken a Boater Safety Course, but has taken a "Sailing 101" course through The Sailing Academy in July. The sailboat he operated was part of a rental boat club run through the Academy. I then met with the vessel owner/owner of The Sailing Academy. He reported that the propeller for the vessel has a collapsible mechanism. If the operator attempted to throttle before the propeller had fully deployed, the propeller could become damaged and vibrate/sheer. 

The sunken vessel was removed by Tow Boat U.S. on the morning of 10/23/2023 and towed to Shipwright Harbor Marina located at 6047 Herring Bay Rd, Deale, MD 20751. Pictures of the strut connecting to the hull and a broken propeller blade are attached to this report. The strut connection to the hull became dislodged and a hole, approximately 3 inches by 4 inches allowed water intrusion into the hull. Subject provided the vessel's insurance on 10/27/23 as Starkweather and Shepley.

All events occurred in Anne Arundel County. 

This case is closed.
Ches Bay & Tribs-Bay Brg Cove 
Deale                         