On August 5th 2023 at 1930 hours I, Officer of the Maryland Natural Resources Police was underway on boat patrol in the Assawoman Bay of Ocean City when I received a report of a Jet ski accident in the area of Newport Bay Drive Ocean City. Upon arriving on scene, I witnessed two Personal Watercrafts (PWC) on a floating dock that were damaged. 

A blue PWC with damage to the front bearing Maryland registration and a red PWC with disabling damage along the starboard side bearing Maryland registration. 

I met with Operator2. I informed Operator2 that I was Officer of the Maryland Natural Resources Police and was here to investigate a boat accident that was called into the Department of Natural Resources Communications Center. I took photos of both PWC's and asked Operator2 what happened. 

Operator2 stated that his buddy, Operator1 who was operating the red PWC was just sent to the Tidal Health Hospital in Salisbury for possible injuries. Operator2 said that he was on the blue PWC and his buddy Operator1 was on the red PWC, and they were in the canal when Operator2 looked around, turned and accelerated hitting the red PWC that Operator1 was riding on in front of Operator2. I asked if Operator2 was ok and if he had any injuries. Operator2 stated that he was ok and was just hoping Operator1 was ok. 

Officer responded to Tidal Health to see how sever Operator1's injuries were as a result from the PWC accident. Operator1 had 6 broken ribs. 

Operator2 received two citations. One citation for Failure to Obey Navigations of the Road Rule 8 Action to Avoid Collision. One citation for operating a PWC over 6 knots within 100 feet of structure. 

Operator1 also received two citations. One citation for Failure to Obey Navigations of the Road Rule 8 Action to Avoid Collision. One citation for operating a PWC over 6 knots within 100 feet of structure. 

I spoke with the owner of both PWC's. I informed Owner that I was completing a boat accident report that his PWC's were involved in at Newport Bay Drive in Ocean City on August 5th and needed some more information to complete the report. I asked Owner if he had the estimates for the damage to both PWC's. Owner stated that the Red PWC was a total loss. The value of the PWC at the time of the accident was $14,000. Owner said the damage of the blue PWC is estimated at $3000. As a result of both the damages from the PWC's and injured to Operator1, the accident met the threshold for a reportable boat accident.

ALL EVENTS OCCURRED IN WORCESTER COUNTY.

115 Newport Bay Dr, Ocean City
Ocean City                    