On July 2, 2023, at approximately 12:23 P.M., I, Ofc., of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a call from a concerned citizen that he had struck an underwater rock pile in the area of the Choptank River and Warwick River in Dorchester County. Subject stated that all three individuals on board were ok and that they were operating the vessel back to the boat ramp that they launched from.

    At approximately 3:37 P.M., I met with Subject1 at his residence to complete my investigation of the accident. Subject1 explained that while operating his vessel from the Choptank River into Warwick creek, he struck submerged rocks that was poorly marked with out-of-position buoys. During the inspection of the vessel, I observed severe damage to the lower units on the outboard motors. Photographs of the damaged lower units were taken and attached to this report. After the photographs, I met with the other passengers to obtain witness statements. Both passengers explained that while entering the creek, they heard and felt the lower units strike the rock pile.

    At 4:35 P.M., I cleared the residence after obtaining witness statements from the operator and the passengers to the incident.

    All events occurred in Dorchester and Talbot Counties, Maryland.

Choptank River-Main Stem- N of
Secretary                     