On October 1, 2023, at approximately 1107 hours, I, Officer First Class with the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) received report of a boating accident from NRP Dispatch.  The boat accident involved a subject being burned in a gas explosion at Great Oak Marina in Chestertown, Maryland.  The victim was flown out by a Maryland State Police Helicopter prior to my arrival, due to the extent of his burn injuries.  

I responded to the scene and met with the father of the victim.  Subject1 stated he and his son were working on the bilge pump (located in the engine compartment) of their thirty-three foot Sportfish.  Subject1 told me had vented out the engine compartment the night before and prior to them fishing earlier in the day, but the blower was off due to the noise when they worked on the bilge. Subject1 said he noticed no fuel odor while working on the bilge.  Subject1 stated they needed to shrink wrap one of the connections on the bilge pump wires, but the heat gun was in their vehicle.  Subject2 used a lighter instead and when he lit it, the flame ignited gas fumes inside the engine compartment.  Subject1 stated his son was engulfed in flames, and he pulled him out as fast as he could. 

Subject2 was treated by Kent County Emergency Medical Services and was then flown out by Trooper 1 to ICU burn center at Johns Hopkins.  Trooper 1 advised Subject2 had burns to approximately forty-five percent of his body. 

Subject1 is the registered owner of the involved vessel.  The involved vessel is named "Teaser" and has a valid Maryland registration.  I followed Subject1 where the vessel is docked and took photos.  The photos are attached to this report.  A boat accident report was completed and is attached to this report.

On October 9, 2023, I contacted Subject1 by phone, and he advised his son was doing well.  Subject1 stated his son sustained burns to his face, arms, legs, and the small of his back, but he was expected to make a full recovery. 

All events occurred in Kent County, Maryland.
The investigation is complete.

22170 Great Oak Landing Rd
Chestertown                   