On September 9th, 2023, at 5:58 pm, I, Officer of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a call for a vessel accident at Harbor Island Marina located at 105 Charles St, Solomons, MD 20688. I was advised by dispatch that there were no injuries.

When I arrived on scene at approximately 6:20 p.m., both vessels were already tied up at the marina. Both parties were present, and I verified there were no injuries. The reporting party was waiting aboard his vessel, a dark gray 29’ 7” Regal. Subject1 was accompanied by his girlfriend who was also aboard the vessel at the time of the accident. The vessel was tied off from its starboard side at the left end of the marina's T dock. Subject1 stated his vessel was stationary in this exact position at the time of the collision.

Subject1 stated he observed the striking vessel, a white 29’ 3” Bayliner Marine attempting to dock. Subject1 observed the striking vessel loop around once counterclockwise, and it appeared the operator was trying to dock in front of his vessel alongside the end of the T dock. 

Subject1 stated the first attempt was unsuccessful and on the second attempt the operator stuck the port rear end side of his swim platform at approximately 6-10 knots with the mid-port side of the operator's vessel. Subject1 stated the operator then maneuvered the striking vessel past the T dock and into slip at the marina. 

Subject1 stated that he had already spoken with the operator of the striking vessel before I arrived on scene and that Operator1 did not have vessel insurance or a current registration. Subject1 stated that Operator1 told him he would pay for any damages out of pocket. Subject1 stated the damages included cracks in the swim platform and that the swim platform was loose from its brackets. I photographed the damages that were pointed out to me on my state-issued cell phone. I conducted a safety inspection of Subject1's vessel. Subject1 provided current registration, proof of boating safety education, a vessel insurance policy, and all required safety equipment. Subject1 also filled out a witness statement. Subject1 stated he would give me an estimate of damages as soon as possible.

Operator1 admitted he was operating his vessel (with his wife, son, and friend aboard) when he accidentally collided with a docked vessel. Operator1 stated he was operating back to the marina in inclement weather due to the storm front that came through. Operator1 stated he was initially trying to dock alongside the T dock in front of Subject1's vessel because of the rain and wind. 

Operator1 stated that due to the weather and his starboard engine cutting out, he was unable to get to the spot at the end of the T dock. Operator1 stated he had to loop back around at which point he collided with Subject1’s vessel at approximately 2-3 knots. Operator1 stated the port mid-side of his vessel briefly touched the port rear end side of Subject1's swim platform, and then he was able to maneuver back into slip. I photographed the minor paint scratch on the mid-port side of Operator1's vessel with my state-issued cell phone. I conducted a safety inspection of Operator1’s vessel. All required safety equipment was present, but the vessel registration was expired and Operator1 could not provide proof of obtaining a boating safety education. Operator1 did not have vessel insurance. Operator1 also filled out a witness statement.

I attempted contacting Operator1 by cell phone on September 10th and 14th of 2023 with negative results. Operator1's voice mailbox was full, so I was unable to leave a message. On September 14th, 2023, at approximately 10:30 am I attempted making contact with Operator1 at his address with negative results. I left a business card with my contact information for him to call me as soon as possible. 

Operator1 called me back at 8:51 pm that same day, however, I was off duty and did not answer. I spoke with Operator1 again on September 20th, 2023, and he notified me he would be out of the state for a week and a half for work. After several other calls back and forth, I was able to arrange a meeting with Operator1 on October 12th, 2023. I issued Operator1 2 citations for failure to obtain certificate of number and failure to possess certificate of boating safety education while operating a vessel. I also issued Operator1 2 warnings for failure to remove validation sticker when certificate of number is invalid and failure to obey navigation rules of the road.

Subject1 provided me with a copy of his quote on October 12th, 2023. The damages totaled $3,925.

All events occurred in Calvert County, MD.

105 Charles Street Solomons
Solomons                      