On 07/27/2023 at approximately 11:23 AM, I, Ofc. of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a report from the United States Coast Guard regarding a vessel that was aground at Thomas Point Park. I arrived in the area at 11:40 AM and observed a White Chaparral bowrider boat with Maryland registration aground on the shoreline jetty of the park (approximate GPS coordinates of N 38.54'26.2," W 076.27'39.3"). The vessel was a leased boat from South River Boat Rentals located at  2802 Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037.  There were five occupants on the vessel and the water depth was approximately 1.5 feet.

Shortly after my arrival, the manager of South River Boat Rentals arrived on a vessel with Maryland registration. He arranged for Tow Boat U.S. to pump the vessel free of water and tow it back to South River Boat Rentals. At approximately 11:46 PM, All persons on the vessel donned Type I PFDs and Anne Arundel Fire personnel assisted in unloading the occupants from the vessel onto shore. I was not able to get closer than 30 yards from the vessel due to water depth constraints and there was no ability to access land with my vessel, so I requested Coast Guard to respond by land at approximately 11:48 PM. At approximately 12:22 PM, A Coast Guard officer that was on shore advised that the vessel was taking on a significant amount of water. 

At approximately 12:23 PM, Anne Arundel Fire personnel cleared the scene and advised that all passengers reported no injuries. Ofc. of MDNRP, arrived by land and identified all passengers. Ofc. obtained a witness statement from the operator (attached to this report) The operator reported that he had anchored the vessel off Thomas Point Park at approximately 11:00 AM. 

They began fishing for a brief time and then Subject decided to pull anchor and change locations. They struggled to get the anchor free and when it was retrieved, the vessel had drifted to within a few feet from the shoreline.  The engine was on and in neutral. Subject attempted to drive the stern away from the shoreline but the waves "were too strong and pushed the boat onto the rocks."  Subject reported to Ofc. that he had about 100 hours of operator experience and had a boater safety certificate.

I consulted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's interactive buoy system and the Annapolis buoy showed weather conditions at the time as an air temperature of 85.5 degrees Fahrenheit, a water temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, sustained winds from the South-Southwest of 10 knots, gusts of 12.6 knots, and a wave height of 0.97 feet. Visibility was clear and sunny. High tide for Thomas Point shoal was at 11:56 AM. 

At 1:03 PM, Tow Boat U.S. arrived and towed the vessel back to South River Boat Rentals. At 2:38 PM, I arrived at South River Boat Rentals by land. He showed me where the vessel had been hauled out in the marina and I took pictures and obtained the lease agreement (included in this report). There was one significant fracture in the middle of the hull measuring approximately 2 inches by 3 inches.  I also observed several cracks on the port forward side of the hull measuring approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inches.
The insurance provider for the vessel is Markel American Insurance in the name of South River Boat Rentals LLC. The the vessel was declared a total loss with a value of $13,500 (documents included in this report). 

All events occurred in Anne Arundel County. 

This case is closed.

South River-Duvall Creek
Annapolis                     