I, Officer, of Maryland’s Natural Resources Police assigned to Area 1 in Worcester County Maryland, was underway on vessel NRP 154 with Cadet, on July 18, 2023 when we were dispatched to a vessel accident in the Isle of Wight Bay at Pines Point Marina (869 Yacht Club Drive, Ocean Pines, MD, 21811). The accident involved a center console vessel that was attempting to dock when it struck a pier and two pontoon boats that were docked nearby.

When we arrived at the marina, we were met by three people. Operator1 went on to explain that while attempting to dock his 27’ Grady White Canyon in slip, he “must have slipped and hit the throttle.” This jolted the vessel forward knocking both Operator1 and occupant to the floor. 

Operator1 said that after making an impact with something he was able to pull the kill switch lanyard of the vessel. When they came to a stop, he put the kill switch back in the proper position, started his engines, and backed his vessel back into his slip. He noted that he damaged the “B” pier of Pines Point Marina as well as two vessels diagonal from his slip. 

Operator1 contacted subject1 who contacted the owners of the damaged vessels. Operator1 has vessel insurance through Nationwide Insurance Company and started the process to make a claim while I was present.

The owner of the first vessel struck was not present for the accident as his vessel was docked and secured to the pier in slip.

The second vessel owner on the scene around the same time that Cadet and I did. She was not present at the time of the accident. No one was aboard her vessel as it was docked and secured to the pier in slip.

Photographs of the damaged vessels were taken and Operator1 received a Natural Resources Citation for violating the US Coastguard’s Rules of the Road (Rule 8) by failing to take action to avoid a collision. All parties involved in this incident will be sending me estimates for all damages sustained during the accident. A request for security footage from the marina has been submitted.

All events took place in Worcester County Maryland.
869 Yacht Club Dr, Berlin
Ocean Pines                   