On 08/28/2023, at approximately 1723 Hrs., this officer, Cpl., responded to a priority one boating accident located in front of the waterfront residence. I responded to the accident aboard Natural Resources Police patrol vessel 894 from Sandy Point State Park. At approximately 1732 Hrs., I heard over the radio that a male subject, was pulled out of the water and CPR was in progress. At approximately 1736 Hrs., I arrived on scene behind Annapolis Fire Boat 36, and docked NRP 894 at the pier. As I exited the vessel onto land, two NRP land units, Ofc. also arrived on scene. The scene was busy. EMS personnel already had Operator1 loaded on a stretcher while providing CPR and moving him to the ambulance. A woman, later identified as Operator1's wife, Operator2, was wearing a personal flotation device and walking alongside EMS personnel taking Operator1 to the ambulance. Ofc.1 followed the ambulance to Anne Arundel Medical Center located in Annapolis. Ofc.2 and I started to access the scene and gather witness statements from multiple people that were located at the property.

    There were multiple vessels on scene, which included the Annapolis Harbour Master, Tow Boat US, and Annapolis Fire boat 36. There were also two yellow pontoon vessels overturned together next to the bulkhead of the property, later identified as Hydro-Riders approximately 10 ft long, and one upright elliptical style Hydro-Rider next to them. I started to take pictures of the initial boat locations while Ofc.2 started to get witness statements. 

    I talked to the owner and operator of Dove Watercraft Rentals and Tours located on Spa Creek next to Truxtun Park, and based out of Spa Cove Apartments and Marina. Owner stated that the Operator1's rented the Hydro-Glide self-propelled vessels from him at approximately 1700 Hrs. Operator2 was on a bicycle style Hydro-Glider and Operator1 was on an elliptical style Hydro-Glider vessel. Owner stated that approximately 20 minutes later, he heard a woman frantically screaming for help. Owner said immediately jumped onto his Elliptical Hydro-Glider, located at Spa Creek Apartments and Marina, and frantically made is way over to where Operator2 was located next to the bulkhead. Owner stated that it took at least 8 to 9 minutes to manually get his vessel on location. Owner then jumped into the water when he realized Operator1 was still under the capsized elliptical. Owner stated he tried to get Operator1's head above the waterline, but he was entangled, and he could not free him.

    I then spoke with Tow Boat US located approximately 500 Yards up Spa Creek from the accident location. Subject1 said they initially heard a woman screaming but couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from, probably due to multiple moored vessels located between there dock and the scene. Subject2 stated that he received a call from their boss saying there was an accident reported somewhere near them on Spa Creek. Subject2 and Subject1 both stated that they jumped onto Tow Boat,''Reliant" and started searching. When they arrived in front, Subject2 stated that he saw Owner attempting to rescue somebody and the women screaming. Owner said he needed a knife to cut Operator1 free. Subject2 jumped into the water with a knife to assist Owner. Subject2 stated that he thinks he cut a couple straps of the PFD Operator1 was wearing and were able to free him. Owner and Subject2 pulled Operator1 onto the upright elliptical Hydro-Glider deck and began CPR on Operator1. Shortly after, EMS arrived on scene and took over CPR.

    Meanwhile, an employee of the Annapolis Harbor Master's office and operating a City Zodiac, arrived on scene and shuttled some additional EMS personnel from the far side of Spa Creek to assist. 
    Witness statements and pictures were taken at the scene and attached in the report.

    We towed both capsized Hydro-Glider vessels back over to Truxtun Park boat Ramp aboard the Annapolis City Harbor Master Vessel. We were able to flip both vessels over at the ramp and secure them for pictures. I took pictures of both vessels, slips, and waiver forms that Owner sated he had the Operator1's sign. Owner also produced insurance information for Dove Watercraft Tours and Rentals LLC. 

   Both Hydro-Glide vessels were released back to Owner, per NRP Investigator. The Blue Onyx Type 3 PFD was entered into evidence and is located in Locker #10, at the Broadneck Office, located at 1070 East College Parkway Annapolis, MD.

All occurred in state waters, Anne Arundel County.

  On Monday August 28, 2023, at approximately 1808 hrs, I Cpl., of the Natural Resources Police, Criminal Investigation Section, was contacted by the SOD DO, Sgt. to respond to Anne Arundel Medical Center for a near drowning.  At approximately 2215 hrs, I arrived at Anne Arundel Medical Center. The victim, Operator1, was admitted to the hospital and being cared for in the Intensive Care Unit.  I spoke with the victim's wife, Operator2. She provided the following written statement: “[sic] I took a bike boat, and my husband took a walking boat, and we decided we’d switch in middle. While switching, one or both boats capsized and we were underneath. I got up but he was stuck for a few minutes, I screamed for help and a few minutes later help came.” The preliminary investigation indicates the victim, and his wife rented a paddle bike catamaran and a paddle elliptical catamaran. While on the waters of Spa Creek, the victim, and his wife decided to switch which paddle craft they were operating.  While attempting to move between paddle crafts, the paddle crafts capsized, entrapping the victim and his wife under the paddle crafts. The wife was able to resurface and yell for help.  A good Samaritan vessel came alongside the paddle craft and was able to free the victim from underneath the paddle craft.  The victim was brought ashore, and CPR was administered until EMS arrived. The victim was transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center where he was admitted into the ICU.  The family had the victim him transferred to University of Maryland Medical Center, where he remains in the ICU.
Severn River
Annapolis                     