4 Injured In Boat Crash At North Beach Fireworks Show: Police

NORTH BEACH, MD — Four people were hurt when two boats collided as passengers watched a fireworks show off North Beach, authorities say. None of the victims were seriously injured Saturday night, said Maryland Natural Resources Police.

"Please be vigilant this holiday week if you hit the water to “Watch the Works.” Use anchor lights. Take your time," the agency said on Twitter.

Officials warn that July is the most dangerous time to be on Maryland waters. Last year, 35 percent of all 164 accidents with injuries or damage occurred in July. More than half of the accidents were between noon and 6 p.m. Already this year there have been more deaths on the water — 10, with one person still missing after he fell off a boat near Kent Narrows — than all of 2017, when nine people died.

Saturday's collision was reported at 9:42 p.m. when a 20-foot Bayliner struck a 27-foot Wellcraft anchored near the Anne Arundel and Calvert County lines, Maryland Natural Resources Police spokeswoman Candy Thomson said. Two people on the Bayliner tested negative for alcohol and other drugs, Thomson told the Baltimore Sun.

Three people from Wellcraft, including two children, were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital and released. One person from the Bayliner was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries, Thomson said.

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The department has reminders to keep boaters safe on the Bay this summer:

Wear a life jacket: Maryland law requires all children under the age of 13 to wear a personal flotation device while underway on motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. The life jacket must be the proper size for the child and must be in good and serviceable condition.

Watch your wake: The wave of water caused by the passage of a boat's hull through the water depends on the size and speed of the vessel, can be very large, and may cause problems.

• Vessels in a marina may be susceptible to damage caused by excessive wakes.
• Sailboats in adjacent slips may be rocked by a wake causing their masts to collide or become entangled in the shrouds.
• People on board their vessels may be knocked down or possibly knocked overboard as a result of an unexpected wake.
• Operate in the channel as much as possible. A little less speed may make a world of difference to other boaters and local residents.

Boating Courtesy

• When overtaking a slower vessel in open water, do so with as much room as depth conditions allow and slow your speed.
• Be especially cautious of smaller vessels such as canoes or kayaks which may be less stable.
• You are responsible for the safety of your passengers, your boat and any damage to other boats and personal property.
• Avoid creating an excessive wake in narrow confined areas.
• Operate slowly at all times when in the vicinity of marinas and launch ramps.

Bow Riding Is Illegal

• Never allow passengers to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, seat backs, or other spots where they might fall overboard.
• Wear your engine cut-off switch lanyard and your life jacket at all times. If the lanyard is removed from the switch, the engine will not shut off.
• Assign a passenger to keep watch around the propeller area of your boat when people are in the water.
• Consider purchasing propeller safety devices for your boat.

Photo courtesy of Maryland Natural Resources Police