On September 04, 2023 at around 1500 hours I, Officer of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, was underway on my patrol vessel in the Inlet speed zone, in Ocean City when I received a report of a personal watercraft (PWC) accident that occurred in the Sinepuxent Bay north of the Verrazano Bridge from the Department of Natural Resources Police Communications Center.  The Communications Center advised me that there were no injuries and that both PWCs were now back at Oceanside Watersports at 710 South Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City Maryland. I responded to the establishment and met with both parties involved.

The operator of the striking PWC with Maryland Registration was identified by her Driver's License. The operator of the struck PWC with Maryland Registration was identified as her son by his Driver's License. I asked both parties if they had any injuries and needed emergency medical services to which they both stated that they did not. 

I first asked the operator of the striking vessel, the mom, Operator1, what occurred. She stated that she was cruising when her son made a quick turn and was right in front of her at an approximate distance of 25 feet and she tried to turn out of the way but the PWC did not slow down and she struck the PWC that her son was operating on.

I then asked the operator of the struck vessel, her son, Operator2 what occurred. He stated that he was riding and then he turned to the right and saw the other PWC coming. His mom was approximately two PWC lengths away from the back of his PWC. His mom tried to turn left but it was too late. 

The damage to Operator2's PWC consisted of a vertical crack in the port side hull of his PWC that was about 18 inches long. Oceanside Watersports management estimated the damage to be $2,500. Based on the damage that I observed on both PWCs, I came to the conclusion that the mom, Operator1 was operating her PWC over six knots within one hundred feet of her son. In addition to the PWC speed and distance violation, Operator1 was also in violation of Navigation Rules number Eight. Operator1 did not take the proper steps to avoid a collision with her son on the other PWC.

Due to Operator1's inexperience on a PWC, I issued Operator1 two warnings for operations violations as a result of the boat accident. One warning for Failure to Obey Navigations Rules of the Road Rule 8 Action to Avoid Collision and one warning for operating a PWC over 6 knots within 100 feet of another vessel. 

ALL EVENTS OCCURRED IN WORCESTER COUNTY

Sinepuxent Bay
Berlin                        