On 6/4/2023 at approx 1805hrs., I, Cpl, received a call from DNR communications in reference to a boat accident involving a PWC in the Upper Chesapeake Bay by Turkey Pt.  Upon my arrival, Charlestown Fire Boat 5 was arriving on the scene at the same time.  I saw the victim and another individual in the water with several PWC's at the location.  

Due to the possibility of a spinal injury, Charlestown Fire boat was better equipped to extract, secure, and transport the victim which they did. The victim was identified by her driver's license. Once the victim was safely on the fire boat, I proceeded to interview the operators of the PWC's on scene. There was a language barrier; therefore, I was unable to communicate with any of the witnesses.  

The victim was then transported to Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE. OFC responded to Christiana Hospital to gather more information.

After further investigation, it was determined that the following events occurred. The operator of the PWC was heading south on the upper Chesapeake Bay between Rocky Pt. and Turkey Pt. in choppy conditions with waves 1-3ft.

The PWC was traveling at approximately 25-30 mph with the operator in a standing position and not seated on the seat. From the information gathered and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, the PWC porpoised and dove into the face of a wave throwing the operator over the front of the PWC. 

The PWC followed over top of her as the PWC came to a stop. There was no evidence of any debris in the area that could have cause the operator to be ejected forward. There was no damage to the hull of the PWC. The operator was wearing a PFD and the PWC lanyard.  The weather condition were mostly clear skies with temperatures around 77F. There was a WSW wind at approximately 8-15mph with 1-3 foot waves.The accident was caused by operator error; unsafe speed for the water conditions, and the operator's inexperience with less than 10hrs of operating experience. This investigation is closed.  All events occurred in Cecil County, MD.

Elk River-Turkey Point North E
Charlestown                   