On 06/24/2023 at approximately 0940hrs, I, Ofc., of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a call for a boat accident that had occurred on the Kent Narrows near Chester, MD, and was advised that all parties would be coming in at the Kent Narrows Public Boat Ramp. 

    I arrived on scene at approximately 0945hrs and observed a commercial workboat (MD Registration), towing in a small white fishing boat (MD Registration) that was mostly submerged below the water. As they pulled up to the ramp, I observed three Hispanic males whose clothes were completely wet step off the workboat as well as a White male that was operating the boat. After ensuring everyone was alright and had been recovered from the water, I spoke with the work-boat operator in regard to what happened.
 
   Subject1 informed me that he was coming back to Watermen's Wharf to dock after crabbing. As he neared the entrance to the wharf, there was a sailboat that was drifting towards him that he had to navigate around to avoid a collision. After turning to avoid the sailboat and getting ready to enter the wharf, he struck a small fishing boat with the three other individuals on board that he had not seen anchored in front of the entrance. One of the individuals fell into the water while the other two stayed on board the partially submerged vessel. He then maneuvered his boat in order to recover all three individuals from the water. They then tied a line around the mostly submerged vessel and towed it to the boat ramp.

    I then met with the three individuals that were aboard the fishing vessel and identified them. They advised me of a similar story to Subject1. They told me they were anchored near the entrance of Watermen's Wharf fishing when they saw the workboat coming in their direction. They tried waving their arms and shouting to get the attention of Subject1 but their efforts went unnoticed before they were struck on the port side of their vessel by the work-boat. One person was sitting near where the vessels collided and jumped into the water to avoid getting struck by the workboat. The other two remained of the boat. The workboat then turned around and removed all three individuals from the water. 

    One person was then transported by EMS to UM Shore Emergency Center in Queentstown, MD, for minor pains in his right ankle.
    Statements were obtained from both parties, as well as statements from individuals who witnessed the accident and are attached.
    Subject1 was then cited for failure to maintain a proper lookout.
    All events occurred in Queen Anne's County, MD.

Kent Narrows, Chester
Chester                       