# ReleasableAccidentes

BARDID: GA-2016-0034
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: SKIDAWAY RIVER
NearestCityorTown: VERNONBURG
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday July 02, 2016 at about 1700 hours I, Ranger#1, received a call from Sergeant#1 informing me of a boating incident at Butterbean Beach (Skidaway River Boat ramp). Sergeant#2 and I drove our boat from South Harbor to Butterbean beach and made contact with Marine Patrol Officer#1. Officer#1 said the victim had already been taken to Memorial Hospital and everyone involved with the incident had left. The Personal Water Crafts (PWC) had been loaded up and were gone as well. I obtained the information of everyone who was involved from Officer#1. Officer#1 said that two PWCs were involved in the incident. Both PWCs belonged to Operator1. Officer#1 said that Operator2 was injured but he was alert and talking to Officer#1 when he left to go to the hospital.  Operator2’s son V2passenger was on one PWC with him and V1passenger was on the other PWC with Operator1. I called Sergeant#1 and she advised me to go ahead and go to Memorial to speak with the people involved in the incident. 

Sergeant#2 and I drove the boat to Skidaway Institute. I rode with Sergeant#2 in his truck to Memorial Hospital. In the waiting room area we spoke to V2passenger’s mother who told us V2passenger had an arm injury, knee injury and back pain. V2passenger had already been released and was in the waiting room with his mother. Operator2 was in the operation room area behind the ER. A nurse led us around the back to where Operator2 was receiving treatment for a laceration on his head. The nurse that was working on Operator2 said he had a right hip fracture, broken left rib and a forehead laceration.

Operator2 said that he and his son were on a PWC (V02) and Operator1 and her niece were on one as well (V01). Operator2 said both PWCs were about even, running along when Operator1 and V1passenger fell off of their PWC and the PWC went infront of him and his son. Operator2 hit the other PWC in a T-bone collision. Operator2 said that Operator1 and V1passenger were on the left PWC and he and his son were on the right when they were riding. He said they were about two road lanes apart. VO2 struck the right side of V01. Operator2 said he did not go over the handlebars of his PWC. He said he had less than 10 hours of experience on PWCs, but had taken a boating safety class. Operator2 was still receiving treatment when we left. 

7/6/2016- I drove to Operator1's residence and spoke with her about the incident. Operator1 said her and her niece were riding in front of Operator2 and his son on the left about 4 lanes in between. She said she hit a wave and her and her niece got thrown off. Operator1 said she was wearing the cord to the cut off switch on her arm. She said that her PWC drifted in front of Operator2 and he hit it in a T-bone collision. Operator1 estimated that there was about $1500 of damage done to her PWC (V01), she said there was not any damage to the PWC that Operator2 was driving. Operator1 owns both of the PWCs. Both PWCs are insured through Progressive, policy number xxxxxxxx. Both PWCs are white with some red, blue and black on them. Operator1 said she had taken a boating safety class and had over 100 hours of experience driving PWCs.


BARDID: GA-2016-0035
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 01:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SPIVEY
NearestCityorTown: STOCKBRIDGE
County: HENRY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On the morning of June 23rd, 2016 at approximately 01:00 hours, I, Ranger#1 was contacted by Georgia State Patrol Newnan Dispatcher concerning a boating accident that had occurred on Lake Spivey in Henry County.  After speaking with Sergeant#1, I advised Newnan Dispatch that I would be en route.  At approximately 02:37 hours I arrive at the location of the incident and observed where a Skeeter bass boat had collided with a concrete wall that was perpendicular to the shoreline.  One of the Henry County Police Officers advised me that two individuals had been transported to the Atlanta Medical Center and both sustained significant injuries.  After inspecting the vessel, I observed broken glass from what appeared to be a liquor bottle and the strong odor of alcohol coming from the boat.  There was also a marijuana grinder located on the deck of the boat near the bow.  Large amounts of debris and items from the boat were scattered around the area and forward of the impact sight.  I proceeded to document the damage to the vessel and to the wall with my camera.  The bow of the vessel had significant damage, approximately two or three feet of the bow was damaged and torn away.  The drivers console was collapsed in and torn away from the floor of the vessel.  The instrument cluster was completely torn away, and the steering wheel was bent inward.  The throttle of the vessel was also in the wide open position and the engine switch in the run position.  After photographing the scene, I was able to get the information of the injured individuals and proceeded to meet them at the hospital.

	At approximately 04:46 hours, I was able to interview both individuals at the hospital.  The first individual identified as Subject1 advised me that he was the passenger of the vessel.  Subject1 stated that he and the operator of the vessel, Subject2 had been riding jet skies all afternoon and at dark they decided to ride around the lake on the pontoon boat.  Subject1 stated that they both had drank some whiskey while they were on the pontoon and that he had also smoked a little marijuana and that was his grinder that was found on the boat at the incident scene.  Subject1 state that after riding around on the pontoon, they decided to get on the fishing boat.  Subject1 said that he had poured his second glass of whiskey when they boarded the fishing boat.  Subject1 stated that they must have gotten a little wide on the turn and hit the wall.  Subject1 was ejected from the vessel, over the concrete wall and landed in the water on a boat ramp.  After speaking with Subject1, I attempted to interview the operator, identified as Subject2, but due to his injuries and medication I was unable to receive any further information concerning the incident.  During the interviews it was determined that both individuals had consumed some alcohol while on the fishing boat and that neither individual was wearing a personal floatation device when they were ejected from the vessel.  Subject1 sustained a broken right femur, two broken fingers on his right hand, injury to his back, and lacerations to his left temple, right elbow, and left knee.  Subject2 sustained a laceration to the left side of his neck and a puncture wound on the left knee.

Due to Lake Spivey being a privately owned lake, no enforcement action was taken.

Interviews recorded on Vidmic.

Nothing further.


BARDID: GA-2016-0036
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HARTWELL LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LAVONIA
County: FRANKLIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 7, 2016, I, RFC was notified by Sgt, at the Gainesville Office, of a possible boating incident on Hartwell Lake.  Details I got were that the victim was transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Lavonia, GA.

I responded to St. Mary's and met with the victim, and he stated that was skiing in Gum Log Creek.  Victim stated he noticed that he was approaching a big wave, let go of the rope, and hit the water.  He stated that he had his arms up while hitting the water and the force is what caused his injury.  He stated that he has been skiing for thirty years and made a mistake.  

The doctor came in while I was speaking with Victim and stated that he possibly could have a torn ligament and strain to his right shoulder.  He was prescribed medication for pain before I left.


BARDID: GA-2016-0037
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HARTWELL LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LAVONIA
County: HART
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person strikes propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 17, 2016 at approximately 3:25 PM I, RFC received a call from the Hart County Sheriff's Office in reference to a possible boating incident.  The incident occurred at the on Hartwell Lake.  I called Sgt. and advised him on the details.  Also, to see if he would be en route to St. Mary's Hospital to speak with the individuals and get information.  I was advised that the injuries would be great enough to transport.  I spoke with a Hart County Deputy on scene and he stated to me that EMS was going to transport one victim to Greenville Memorial due to the injuries.  I notified Sgt. of the details.

On July 25, 2016 I called the father, and spoke with him on exactly what happened on that day.  He stated that he and Victim, along with the operator of the vessel and four other small girls had gotten done with tubing.  They pulled up to the dock of the residence previously mentioned and the girls wanted to swim.  It was stated that the engine was off.  Four of the girls jumped into the water from the side of the vessel and Victim jumped from the back.  Father stated that he thinks from the force of the girls jumping from the side of the vessel, it pushed the vessel towards Victim and she tried to kick away from it and cut her foot.  He stated that she suffered three cuts to her right foot above the ankle.  Two severe cuts and one small one.  She lost part of her main artery but the doctors were able to save the tendons.  She is expected to make a full recovery.  

On July 26, 2016 I called and spoke with subjects about the vessel and he also stated that the engine was off.  He also stated that the same situation that father had.  He said that the vessel had counter rotating props as well.


BARDID: GA-2016-0038
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HARTWELL LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LAVONIA
County: FRANKLIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person strikes propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 23, 2016 at approximately 2:45 PM, I, RFC received a call from GSP Gainesville in reference to a possible boating incident on Hartwell Lake.  Details were that the victim was at St. Mary's Hospital in Lavonia, GA.  I called and spoke with the ER nurse, and told her to tell the victim and family that I was en route.  

I along with RFC arrived at St. Mary's and met with the victim and an occupant.  Subject stated that they were using the vessel to ski near Tuguloo State Park, that is where they were camping, and Victim had finished.  She stated that he was entering the vessel by its ladder, slipped off the ladder and struck the prop.  She stated that the engine was not running at the time of the incident.  She stated her father was the operator of the vessel.  We spoke with Victim and got his information.  He suffered a ten inch cut to his right foot that required twenty-seven stitches.  

There were no signs of any impairment.  Victim had already been released from the hospital and was back at the campsite.


BARDID: GA-2016-0039
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE HARTWELL
NearestCityorTown: MARTIN
County: STEPHENS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 4th at approximately 1510 in Eastanollee creek on Lake Hartwell, Operator1 along with his 13 yr old son were riding a personal watercraft while Operator2 a family friend was on another personal watercraft.   

Both operators were making loops riding over the wake made by a passing boat. Operator1 made a turn into the path of Operator2 and Operator2 jumped off his personal watercraft with an impact between Operator1's and Operator2's pwc occurring. 

Upon impact v1 occupant was thrown forward with his left knee striking the handlebar and lacerating the knee. V1 occupant was taken to Sacred Heart/ Saint Mary's emergency room where he received nine stitches in his knee. No charges were filed against either operator.


BARDID: GA-2016-0041
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:09:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE RABUN
NearestCityorTown: TIGER
County: RABUN
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Overloading
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 03, 2016 at approximately 1530 hours, officers were conducting a boating safety patrol on Lake Rabun in the area of the narrows when we noticed a bass boat sitting low in the water.  The vessel appeared to be overloaded with seven people on board.  

I turned on the blue emergency lights on my patrol vessel to initiate a vessel stop.  The operator of the vessel said he was sinking from taking on water from the wake of a another vessel.  Another vessel stopped and told the operator of the sinking vessel to go to his dock and put the vessel on his lift in order to drain the water.  

Operator went to the dock, let the six passengers off, and then attempted to get the vessel on the lift.  Operator appeared to be having a hard time doing this task.  The owner of the lift finally jumped in the water and swam the vessel onto the lift.  I explained to Operator the reason for the vessel stop while the water was draining from his vessel.  I told Operator that I would transport his passengers to the boat ramp and follow him while he drove his vessel to the ramp after the water was drained from his vessel.  

Once the water was drained from Operator vessel, I had the six passengers from his vessel put on a proper fitting life jacket and board my patrol vessel.  Operator put on a proper fitting life jacket and prepared to take his vessel to the ramp.  While leaving the dock, we noticed Operator having a difficult time getting his vessel into the channel.  

Deputy asked Operator’s wife (wife)  if Operator had ever owned boat before now.  Operator’s wife (wife) said this was Operator first boat.  As I followed Operator, I noticed he would not get his vessel on plane because he would not increase the throttle.  I noticed the stern of his vessel was sinking again from taking on water caused by his "plowing".  Operator put his vessel in neutral and sat in the middle of the channel looking confused.  I told him to take the vessel to the nearest dock so that it would not sink in the middle of the channel.  Operator went to the nearest dock.  Soon after Operator put his vessel in neutral, the vessel sank in less than five foot of water.  I told Operator that I was going to take his passengers to the boat ramp and that I would be back.

I dropped the passengers off at the boat ramp and returned to Operator.  Operator was emotionally distraught and wanted to know what to do.  The owner of this dock offered to call a resident on Lake Rabun, to see if he could assist with raising the sunken vessel.  subject arrived at our location and was able to raise the vessel and tow it the boat ramp.  I issued Operator a warning for operating an overloaded vessel.

I spoke with Operator on July 13, 2016 in reference to see if he had gotten an estimate for any repairs his vessel may need.  Operator said it would cost around $2800.00 total.  Operator asked if the operator of another vessel was going to be required to pay for the repairs.  I told him that there were no other vessels involved.  Operator said it was the vessel that swamped him the second time causing him to sink.  Operator said it was a red and white vessel and that his mother-in-law said the operator of this vessel was in Franklin County Detention Center for trying to hide the red and white vessel.  I asked Operator how his mother-in-law would know this, and he said she works for Habersham County Sheriff's Office at the Habersham County Detention Center.  I told Operator I was not aware of any of the accusations he stated.


BARDID: GA-2016-0042
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:35:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 16, 2016 I, RFC, responded to an incident that happened on Lake Lanier. I went to Northeast Georgia Medical Center where I met a man. 

Operator was operating a PWC when he hit a large wake which caused Operator to be thrown into the air. When he came down on the PWC he broke his right femur. Operator was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center where he was treated for a broken right femur. Operator had no idea about the PWC or its owner; he stated he was only trying out the PWC when he operated it.

 He stated he was observing someone on the PWC and asked if he could try to ride it. The PWC's owner allowed Operator to ride the PWC. After Operator was injured the PWC's owner took his vessel and left. Neither Operator, or a witness, could give me any details about the identity of the PWC's owner. It is my conclusion that Operator, being inexperienced on a PWC, hurt himself when he left his PWC and came back down onto the deck of the PWC breaking his femur. This concludes my report.


BARDID: GA-2016-0043
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: FLOWERY BRANCH
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 30th 2016, I RFC investigated a boating incident relating to a man grounding his vessel on Lake Lanier near Aqualand Marina on the night of June 29th. 

The operator was driving his Bayliner boat in Flowery Branch Creek heading to Port Royal at aproximatly 2130 when he suddenly ran aground on the shoals near Aqualand.

After the incident Operator was unable to get his phone working again for some time. Two or three hours later he got his phone working and called Hall County dispatch. Dispatch sent the fire department to check on Operator and they transported him to Northeast Georgia Medical Center where he was treated for small cuts and bruises.

 Later that afternoon, I met Operator at his home and interviewed him about the events from the previous night and got his statement. In conclusion Operator grounded his vessel on the shoals near Aqualand Marina due to his inexperience with that part of the lake especially at night, causing him to be thrown violently to the deck of the vessel causing minor cuts and bruises.


BARDID: GA-2016-0044
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 17,2016 at 2000 hours operator was towing victim on a tube with a 2008 Sea-Doo Personal Watercraft (PWC) in the area of Bald Ridge Creek on Lake Lanier. Operator was attempting to make a left turn away from the shoreline and when he did the tube that Victim was on was slung to the right side of the PWC’s wake.  This happened at the same time as the tube bounced off of some choppy waves. Victim was ejected from the tube and into the shore. Landing on some rocks hitting her head. Forsyth County 911 was called immediately. Victim was conscious and responsive at the time of transport and she had a large laceration on her head. 
 
RFCs were patrolling Lake Lanier in the area of Bald Ridge Creek at the time of the incident. We responded at the request of Forsyth County Marine units. When we arrived on scene the Forsyth County Marine Units told us that a female had already been transported to North Fulton Regional Hospital with injuries to her arm and head. They also indicated that the operator was showing signs of impairment.

Once I was on the dock I introduced myself to Operator and began asking him questions related to the boating incident. Operator told me that he was towing Victim with the PWC and he went to turn away from the shore. When he did the tube swung towards the shore and hit some waves ejecting Victim onto the shore. While I was talking to Operator about the incident I noticed some signs that he may be impaired. When asked, Operator admitted that he had consumed 4 beers since about 1500 hours.  

I performed Field sobriety exercises on Operator and determined that he was under the influence of alcohol. I arrested Operator for Boating Under the Influence and towing without an observer with a PWC. 

On July 18,2016 I spoke with Victim on the phone and she told me that she had been released from the emergency room and was recovering at home. She told me that she was treated for a large laceration on her head and that she received 19 staples on her forehead and on the top of her head. Victim told me that she estimated that the tube was travelling approximately 25 mph when she was ejected. She stated that it happened so fast that all she remembered  was that she saw the shore coming closer and that she thought about jumping off the tube but before she had a chance to jump off the tube, she was thrown off the tube and hit her head on the rocky shore.


BARDID: GA-2016-0046
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: RANDY POYNTER LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CONYERS
County: ROCKDALE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 5th, 2016, at approximately 1302 hours, I, Ranger (Rng.) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division-Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (GA DNR LED CIRT), received a call from GA DNR LED Corporal (Cpl.), who advised of a fatality boating incident that had occurred earlier that date on Randy Poynter Lake, in Rockdale County, Georgia.  Cpl. advised that the boating incident would now be a CIRT incident investigation, and to proceed accordingly.  I then initiated a CIRT investigation at that time.

	Cpl. advised that on June 5th, 2016, at approximately 1015 hours, he received a call from Rockdale County, Georgia 911 Dispatch concerning a male subject who had died while boating on Randy Poynter Lake, at Black Shoals Park, in Rockdale County, Georgia.  Cpl. advised that he arrived on scene at approximately 1030 hours, and proceeded across the lake by vessel to the incident scene, where Victim was located.  Cpl. advised that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were on scene at that time, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Victim.  EMS then requested that Cpl. go back across the lake, in order to obtain a back-board from the boat-ramp area.  He returned to the incident scene with the back-board, and Victim was positioned inside of Cpl.’s vessel.  Cpl. advised that he transported Victim to the boat-ramp area, as EMS continued CPR on him.  EMS then transported Victim to the Rockdale County Hospital.  Victim was pronounced dead at approximately 1104 hours at the Hospital.  His body was then taken to the Dekalb County Coroner's Office.  Cpl. advised that he believed Victim may have sustained a myocardial infarction (heart attack).  Cpl. advised that Victim was allegedly obese, smoked heavily, and was diabetic. 

	At the incident scene, Cpl. advised that he proceeded to meet with four witnesses.  He interviewed them, and obtained their written statements regarding what had occurred.  According to Cpl., he gathered the following information.  Victim's friend stated that at approximately 1000 hours, both she and Victim were fishing out of two separate kayaks, near each other.  Each subject possessed the required personal flotation devices (PFDs) in their respective vessels.  Subject1 stated that she owned each kayak being utilized.  Victim operated a Sun Dolphin-Aruba ten-foot kayak at the time of incident.  At that time, Victim was located approximately two-hundred yards northeast from the boat-ramp, and approximately fifty yards southwest from the nearest lake-bank.  Subject1 stated that she saw Victim reach for a minnow, and then fall out of the kayak into the water.  She advised that he went completely under water.  He was not wearing a PFD.  She advised that the kayak capsized, and that Victim began swimming.  She advised that he quickly became incoherent, and began swimming towards the boat-ramp area, which was across the lake.  She advised that she explained to Victim that he was going the wrong way, and that he then swam back towards the kayak she was in.  She noticed that he was having difficulty swimming.  Subject1 stated that Victim got fatigued, and he held onto her hand, as she remained in her kayak.  She paddled with one hand, and attempted to pull Victim to the nearest lake-bank.  She stated that Victim then became extremely fatigued, advised he was hurting, and went unconscious.  Subject1 stated that Victim's head never went under water (other than the initial time he fell into the water).  Another boater stated that he responded to the scene, and assisted in dragging Victim to the lake-bank.  Subject1, and subject2 stated that they began CPR on Victim…  


BARDID: GA-2016-0047
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 12th, 2016, at approximately 1520 hours, I, Ranger (RNG.) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, along with Corporal (CPL.), were on routine vessel patrol on Lake Sidney Lanier.  At that time, we received a call from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Dispatch, reference a boating incident that had occurred at approximately 1515 hours on Lake Lanier, in Shoal Creek, near the campground.  Dispatch advised that one adult female subject had been injured in the incident.  I advised Dispatch that we would respond to the scene.  Dispatch further advised that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) had made contact with the injured subject near campsite number 22, and that they were treating her near the shore.  

We arrived on scene at approximately 1520 hours, and made contact with EMS, the operator of the vessel involved in the incident, as well as witnesses.  I identified the injured female.  EMS advised that Victim had sustained a broken femur while allegedly wake-boarding.  EMS positioned her onto a backboard, and loaded her into an ambulance.  She was then transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NEGMC) for further treatment.  

I then identified the operator of the vessel.  Operator filled out a sworn written statement of what occurred.  He stated that he was operator the vessel, which he owned, while towing Victim on Lake Lanier, in Shoal Creek.  He stated that when Victim attempted to get up onto the wake-board, from the water, she injured her right leg.  He stated that Victim had made approximately ten other attempts at getting up onto the wake-board leading up to the time she was injured.  He stated that she had gotten up onto the board approximately two other times that afternoon, with no problems.  Operator stated that he believed the pressure of the wake-board against Victim's leg caused her femur to break.  At the time that the injury occurred, Operator stated that Victim yelled that she had hurt her knee.  Immediately, the other six passengers in Operator' vessel began to assist Victim, and helped her to shore.  The incident allegedly occurred approximately 75 yards north of Shoal Creek Campground-Campsite number 22, according to Operator.  I interviewed the other six passengers, and they each provided me with similar accounts of occurred.

	On June 13th, 2016, I arrived at NEGMC, and offered my concern for Victim, on behalf of GA DNR LED.  I determined that according to the NEGMC Medical Personnel, Victim did in fact break her right femur, and would recover.

Conclusion:

	Following the review of all statements, and analysis of all evidence available at the time of this report, it is my opinion, based upon my knowledge, training, and experience, that the boating incident involving Victim occurred in the following manner:

	   On June 12th, 2016, at approximately 1515 hours, Operator operated his vessel, while towing Victim on Lake Lanier, in Shoal Creek.  Victim attempted to get up onto the wake-board, from the water, and injured her right leg.  Victim had made approximately ten other attempts at getting up onto the wake-board leading up to the time she was injured.  She had gotten up onto the board approximately two other times that afternoon, with no problems.  The pressure of the wake-board against Victim's leg caused her femur to break.  At the time that the injury occurred, Victim yelled that she had hurt her knee.  Immediately, the other six passengers in Operator' vessel began to assist Victim, and helped her to shore.  The incident occurred approximately 75 yards north of Shoal Creek Campground-Campsite number 22.

	On June 13th, 2016, I arrived at NEGMC, and offered my concern for Victim, on behalf of GA DNR LED.  I determined that according to the NEGMC Medical Personnel, Victim did in fact break her right femur


BARDID: GA-2016-0049
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 5, 2016 at approximately 1700 hours    operator was operating a jet ski in Shoal Creek on Lake Sidney Lanier.  He attempted to jump a wave just outside the no wake zone at Sunset Cove Marina in Hall County.  He landed and hit his left arm on the handle bars of the jet ski.  He broke his left arm.  Hall County Marine unit 1 responded and transported him to the nearest boat ramp.  He was transported to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment and released that night.


BARDID: GA-2016-0050
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER - HALL COUN
NearestCityorTown: FLOWERY BRANCH
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 4, 2016 at approximately 1430 hours Sgt. and I responded to a boating incident located in Hall County on Lake Sidney Lanier at the Aquland Marina gas docks.  At approximately 1435 hours I arrived and observed a young white male with a laceration to the left arm.  He advised me that he attempted to jump from the port bow portion of vessel 1 onto the dock and missed thus hitting the cleat on the dock causing the laceration.  All parties refused to provide witness statements.  ***END OF REPORT***


BARDID: GA-2016-0051
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 4, 2016 at approximately 1530 hours I received a call from the Georgia State Patrol dispatcher in reference to a jet ski accident in Hall County on Lake Sidney Lanier.  According to the caller the incident occurred in the Shoal Creek area near Sunset Cove Marina.  The victim was being transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.  I responded to Northeast Georgia Medical Center by vehicle.  I arrived at the hospital at approximately 1600 hours. 

 I interviewed a white male.  He advised me that he was operating his jet ski and attempted to jump a wave.  He said he jumped the wave and when he landed he hit his head on the handle bars causing trauma to his head and left eye.  He was transported by Hall County fire and rescue to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment and later released that night.


BARDID: GA-2016-0053
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE HARTWELL
NearestCityorTown: HARTWELL
County: HART
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On  July 23, 2016, RFC received a call in reference to a boat accident and that the subject was at Saint Mary's hospital in Lavonia. We arrived at the hospital and made contact with two subjects. Both subjects stated that while operator was towing subject on a tube, she struck a large wake and went airborne. victim held on to the tube, and as she landed, the impact broke her right wrist. She was treated at the hospital and released.


BARDID: GA-2016-0054
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE HARTWELL
NearestCityorTown: LAVONIA
County: FRANKLIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 10, 2016, at 1549 hrs, I received a call from GSP dispatch that there had been a boat incident on Lake Hartwell, and the subject was at St. Mary's Hospital with a laceration to the head. I proceeded to St. Mary's hospital and called the contact number given to me by dispatch. No one answered, so I left a message. As I arrived at the hospital, the subject called me back and advised me that he had left the hospital and was at Zaxby's in Lavonia. 

I met at Zaxby's and interviewed them about the incident. Operator was towing Subject, who said that as he was riding up a wave, "things got weird, and the board turned and bit into the water." When this happened, he fell forward, and the board came free of his feet. As he surfaced, the board struck him in the head. The board left a 1.5-inch-long laceration above his left eye that required seven stitches. Subject was treated at St. Mary's Hospital and released.


BARDID: GA-2016-0055
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:59:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Failure to vent
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 3, 2016 I received a call in reference to a boating incident that occurred the previous day.  The incident occurred on Lake Sidney Lanier at approximately midnight on the morning of July 3, 2016 near Mountain View Park, Hall County. I was advised that there was a young lady that was severely burned as a result of this incident.   

According to the victim, the operator had been attempting to start the engine when it flooded.  He continued starting the engine and due to the fuel vapors, it ignited. After receiving a phone call from the operator, I went by his address to get a statement and his information.  I observed the vessel that was involved in the incident in the suspected operator's driveway.  The vessel appeared to have had some internal fire associated with it.  

The owner was not home. The burn victim advised me that the operator was trying to pump the gas and turn the engine over and the vessel ignited and burned her.  She suffered third degree and first degree burns as a result of this incident.  She was treated and released from the hospital in the early morning hours of July 3, 2016.  Her witness statement is attached to this report.  Operator called me back later on the afternoon of July 4, 2016 and advised there was no damage to the vessel and declined to fill out a witnessed statement.  ***END OF REPORT***


BARDID: GA-2016-0056
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-04-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: TURTLE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: BRUNSWICK
County: GLYNN
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause3: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 04/27/2016 at approximately 1920 hours, I, Corporal (Cpl) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Law Enforcement Division (LED), received a call from Sergeant (Sgt) reporting a boating incident in Glynn County. I arrived on scene at 1953 hours and received a briefing on the incident. At 1917 hours, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) dispatch received a report of a capsized vessel with three persons missing in the Turtle River. 

One of the vessel occupants was wearing a personal floatation device when the incident occurred. Subject1 was able to swim to the North side of the Turtle River bank where he made contact with a motorist and reported the boating incident. Subject1 was taken by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to South East Georgia Regional Medical Center (SEGRMC) for medical treatment. Sgt and I initiated search efforts, assisted by United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Glynn County Emergency Management Agents (EMA). Sgt and I located the vessel partially submerged at Global Positioning Coordinates (GPS) 031°07.428’ North latitude, 081°29.291’ West longitude. The vessel was a Sing Fisher fiberglass vessel, fourteen feet in length, green in color, with Georgia registration number GA8029E registered to operator 

At approximately 2200 hours, Seatow arrived on scene and towed the vessel to the GADNR region office dock located at One Conservation Way in Brunswick. I maintained custody of the vessel in a secured lot at the GADNR region office. At approximately 2300 hours, GADNR Rangers suspended search efforts overnight. At approximately 2330 hours, I met with Subject1 at SEGRMC for a witness statement.  

Subject1 told me that on 4/27/2016, at approximately 1130 hours, Operator launched his vessel at the Sidney Lanier public boat ramp. Operator and three others boarded the vessel and traveled East in Plantation Creek to fish. At approximately 1630 hours, they returned to the Sidney Lanier public boat ramp. Subject1 and Subject2 drove to Discount Liquors located at 1503 Gloucester Street, Brunswick, to purchase cigarettes. Operator and Subject3 remained with the vessel at the Sidney Lanier public boat ramp. 

At approximately 1700 hours, Subject1 and Subject2 returned to the Sidney Lanier public boat ramp. Operator, Subject3, Subject2 and Subject1 boarded Operator's vessel and traveled West in Turtle River. Subject1 told me they encountered heavy seas and decided to turn back. Subject1 said he wore a personal floatation device the whole time he was onboard the vessel.  Subject1 said the vessel's motor continued to stall and Operator told them that the spark plugs had gotten wet. Subject1 told me that he observed water at the stern of the vessel. Subject1 said Operator and Subject3 attempted to bail the water from the stern of the vessel using a bucket on board.  Subject1 said when they were traveling back, approximately 400 yards from the Sidney Lanier fishing pier, Operator increased the speed of the vessel. Subject1 told me that water began coming in over the bow of the vessel. Subject1 said he moved to sit at the bow of the vessel. 

 Subject1 said Subject3 was splashed by that water coming into to the vessel and that Subject3 stood up in the vessel. Subject1 said that when Subject3 stood up, water began coming over the port gunwales. Subject1 said Subject3 jumped from the vessel and that more water began coming over the gunwales. Subject1 said all the vessel occupants entered the water as the vessel began to sink. Subject1 said Subject3 was holding onto an orange cooler and that Subject2 reached out to grab hold of Subject1. Subject1 said he began swimming away from the vessel towards the North side of the Turtle River bank. Subject1 said he climbed up the bank and walked through the oyster bed and marsh into a large field known as Liberty Harbor. Subject1 said he went to the private residence at Liberty Harbor and knocked on the door but there was no answer. Subject1 said he walked along…


BARDID: GA-2016-0057
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:01:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 28th 2016 at 1701 hrs. I was dispatched to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton to investigate a boating incident that happened on Lake Lanier. I arrived at the hospital and met the victim of the incident. Victim stated she was riding on the back of a Se-Doo jet-ski with two other women when suddenly she fell off. 

When Victim landed in the water she stated " it felt like someone punched me in the chest". The other women on the jet-ski couldn't get Victim back on to the jet-ski because of the pain that Victim was having. They decided to call an ambulance. The ambulance took Victim to the hospital. Victim was treated for a strain to her chest. On July 29th I contacted the other women to get the information and their statements.


BARDID: GA-2016-0058
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On the evening of July 2, 2016 I, Ranger First Class (Rfc.) with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (CIRT), was notified by Lieutenant (Lt.) (CIRT) of a boating incident involving a serious injury on Lake Lanier in Forsyth County.  I was contacted by Corporal (Cpl.) (CIRT) and she agreed to assist me with the case.  I then contacted Cpl. who initially responded to the incident.  Cpl. told me a man had suffered severe propeller cuts to his legs, and the man was likely have both legs amputated.  

Cpl. told me the vessel was inventoried, and the vessel would be stored at the Aqua Land DNR facility in Hall County.  I was also informed the operator had been arrested by Rfc. for operating a vessel under the influence.  I contacted Cpl. and we agreed to meet the following morning at the Aqua Land facility.

On July 3, 2016 Cpl. obtained a search warrant in Hall County for the vessel involved in the incident.  The vessel was an Ebbtide ski boat with registration GA 6680 SB, and hull identification number ETC00581B303.  When Cpl.1 arrived we read the witness statements that were obtained at the scene. 

When we finished reading the statements, we pulled the vessel out of the storage building.  After pulling the vessel out, we measured and photographed the vessel.  I observed a large amount of blood on the transom of the vessel.  There were numerous alcoholic beverages located in the vessel including empty containers of beer, champagne, and rum.  Additionally, there was a nearly empty 1.75 liter bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey in the vessel.  I located a metal drink container in the driver's cup holder containing a liquid with a very strong odor consistent to that of an alcoholic beverage.  I also located two sections of a blue ski rope that appeared to have been severed.  

While examining the propeller, I noticed one of the blades had been damaged and bent at an approximate 90 degree angle.   Additionally, I noticed there were only three wearable personal flotation devices (pfds) and two type four throwable pfds.  Two of the pfds were for children, and one was for a small adult.  After photographing the vessel, one of the occupants of the vessel, Subject1 arrived to pick up a set of car keys from the vessel.  Cpl.1 and I interviewed Subject1 inside an office at the facility.  Subject1 said Victim had been wake boarding.  He said Victim was in the water near the motor, when the operator Operator apparently put the vessel in reverse.  Subject1 said they immediately pulled Victim from the water, but he had already been severely injured.  Subject1 said bystanders on a nearby dock assisted and they used a belt as a tourniquet.  After interviewing Subject1, Cpl.1 and I secured the vessel back inside the storage building and left Aqua Land. 

On July 11, 2016 I returned the search warrant for the vessel to the Hall County Magistrate Court.

On July 24, 2016 I obtained the incident report from Rfc. regarding Operator's arrest.  In Rfc. report it stated Operator did not submit to a full battery of field sobriety exercises.  In reference to not performing field sobriety exercises, Operator made the comment, "No, no I'm not doing fields, I'm smoked man".  According to Rfc. report, Operator submitted to a sample of his blood under Georgia Implied Consent and it was sent to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime laboratory in Panthersville, Georgia.


BARDID: GA-2016-0059
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: SOUTH BRUNSWICK RIVER
NearestCityorTown: BRUNSWICK
County: GLYNN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Capsizing
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
I, RFC received a call around 1230 hours about a boating incident at Blythe Island Regional Park. The caller stated that a boat being launched had struck another vessel that was at the dock. The second vessel swamped and sank under the dock. There were no injuries to either party.

Operator1 stated that the only damage to his vessel was the fiberglass cap busted at the corner of the stern and unknown motor damage from being submerged in salt water. He also lost several personal items that were in the boat. Operator2 said there was no damage to his vessel.

Operator1's statement was as follows:

At approximately 11:15am on 8/3/16 I backed my 15’ Ashcraft boat into the water at the Blythe Island ramp.  The tide had just started falling around 10am and was moving out swiftly.  At the time there were no other boats.  After unloading into the water, I pulled my boat up to the edge of the ramp and my wife waited there with it as I parked my vehicle. When I returned another gentleman was backing his Carolina Skiff into the water and seemed to be in a little more of a hurry than I was.  I did not crank up and paddled my boat out to the end dock platform to wait until he left the ramp.  While I was waiting at the end dock, he backed his boat out and the current pushed his boat toward me.  As his bow rotated around 180 degrees toward me he realized that he was too close and told me to watch out.  Just as his bow came around he accelerated pretty hard to whip his boat around and accidentally ran over the right rear portion of my gunnel and transom area.  As he ran over the top corner of my boat, the weight of his boat forced mine down below the waterline and my boat rapidly filled up with water causing it to sink.

 I told my wife to quickly get up on the dock and I tried to hold the boat a bit longer to get a container from under the seat which held my phone, keys, and wallet. the Blythe Island operator saw what happened and ran to help me, along with another boater, who was on the other dock.  I held onto the boat for a little bit, but the current was swift and continued to push the boat downward.  Both gentlemen helped me up on the dock, at which time the boat finally rotated upside down and was pushed up under the dock by the swift current.  One of the gentlemen also grabbed the anchor line and tied it off to the dock cleat which helped hold the boat.  

We then had to wait till about 3 pm for the current to subside.  At that time the boat was allowed to drift from under the dock and maneuvered back into the ramp area, over turned with Operator2’s assistance and water bailed out.  The boat was then loaded onto the trailer.  I appreciated Operator2’s help in light of the situation.  Damage appeared to include a broken right rear gunnel cap, cracked transom, salt water damage to the engine, steering mechanism, cables, throttle control box assembly, and loss of some boating/fishing equipment.  The other boat appeared to have minor damage.  Operator2 apologized for the incident and provided his contact/insurance information.  DNR, USCG, and the Brunswick Police Dept. were contacted by Blythe Island Personnel and alerted to the incident.

As a note of thanks, I appreciate the help of (Blythe Island operator) and the unknown boater who were quick to respond and help my wife and I.  They were a blessing and encouragement! "


BARDID: GA-2016-0060
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:55:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TOBESOFKEE
NearestCityorTown: MACON
County: BIBB
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 7th, 2016, at approximately 1930 hours, I, RFC received a call in reference to a boating incident that had occurred near Sandy Beach at Lake Tobesofkee. I proceeded to be in route to the location of the incident. I contacted Sgt.  and informed him of the incident and explained that I would update him when I had received more information at the scene. 

	At approximately 1950 hours, I arrived on scene at Sandy Beach at Lake Tobesofkee. A Tobesofkee Ranger was also on scene speaking with several individuals involved. I investigated both vessels that were involved in the incident. Vessel 1, a 1999 Regal, appeared to have extensive damage to the starboard side of the vessel which included, a shattered window, fiberglass hull damage, stern light damage as well damage to the canopy frame. Vessel 2, a 2001 Carolina Skiff, appeared to have had slight fiberglass damage to the hull of the vessel on the starboard side.

	I began interviewing witnesses. Operator1 explained that the Regal boat belonged to him. Operator1 explained that he, his wife and daughter as well as his daughters friend had been boating on the lake and decided to pull his vessel up at Sandy Beach and walk around for a while. He explained that he was walking down the beach and noticed a boat out in front of Sandy Beach that had appeared to be in motion with no one at the operating console. 

Operator1 also explained that he saw two people in the water and the boat appeared to be doing circles around the individuals in the water. Operator1 stated that he told his wife to call 911 and he ran to his boat because he knew something was wrong. At that point, Operator1 boarded his vessel and began driving toward the circling vessel. 

operator1 explained that he thought the circling vessel was going to drive over the two people in the water. Operator1 stated that he positioned his vessel in such a way to shield the two people in the water from getting run over. Operator1 stated that the circling vessel struck his Regal on the starboard side and was deflected away from the two people in the water. At that point, Operator1 helped the man and young boy into his vessel and took them to Sandy Beach.

 Operator1 explained that the man had a cut on the heel of his foot and the young boy was complaining of stomach pain. Operator1 explained that the two victims were transported to the hospital for evaluation. I also spoke with the other witnesses. The witness confirmed what Operator1 had already stated. I was able to get written statements from all of the witnesses. After documenting the scene, I proceeded to be in route to the Macon Medical Center where the victims were transported for medical evaluation. 

	I arrived at the Macon Medical Center at approximately 2130 hours. I was able to make contact with operator2. Operator2 explained that both him and his son were okay and his son V2 occupant was being checked out by a physician. 

I interviewed Operator2 about the events that had taken place at Lake Tobesofkee that evening. Operator2 explained that he and his son V2 occupant were out riding in his boat that evening and when they were near the area of Sandy Beach they encountered some rough water. Operator2 explained that the rough water ejected him and his son out of the vessel and into the water. Operator2 explained that the vessel was still running and began circling him and his son. Operator2 also explained that he thought someone from the shore saw what had happened and drove their vessel out to his and his son's location and put their vessel in front of the moving vessel to keep it from hitting them. I confirmed that I had already spoken to the individual that drove their boat in front of his boat…


BARDID: GA-2016-0061
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 06:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE GOAT ROCK
NearestCityorTown: HAMILTON
County: HARRIS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person stung by bees
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 24th, 2016, I, RFC received a call from Sgt. in reference to a boating incident that had occurred on Lake Goat Rock in Harris County. Sgt. explained that according to the information that we had received at the time, an individual had been fishing and was in the process of docking his vessel. Operator apparently bumped the dock with his vessel and stirred up a bee's nest that was established under the dock. The bee's began stinging Operator. Operator was transported to the hospital by witnesses on scene. I received the contact information of a deputy that was on scene at the time.

	At that time I called Deputy. Deputy advised me that the victim was transported to St. Francis Hospital and was unresponsive at the time he was admitted. Deputy also advised me that he was getting witness statements and had documented pictures of the vessel that the victim had been using. I told Deputy to keep me advised on the condition of the victim.

	A short time later Deputy sent me a message stating that the victim had been sedated and was responding to the medication and expected to recover. I advised Sgt. of the information.

	On August 25th, I contacted Operator wife. Wife explained that Operator was still in the ICU but was responding well to the medication and doing better. Wife explained that Operator was at Lake Goat Rock that morning and was getting ready to go fishing. Operator went on to explain that while preparing to leave the dock to go fishing the vessel that Operator was operating bumped into the dock which caused a nest of bee's to start stinging her husband. According to Wife and a witness that was on scene, Operator fell down into the seat of his vessel after being stung several times. Operator was immediately transported to St. Francis Hospital for treatment. Nothing further.


BARDID: GA-2016-0062
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 3, 2016, Sgt.  and I (Cpl.) received a call from Hall County 911 at 1620 hours about two Personal Water Crafts (PWC) in an accident with injuries. The accident occurred at River Forks Park in Hall County and one subject was being transported to Northeast Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia. 
 
We arrived on scene at about 1645 hours and noticed two PWC’s on the shoreline at River Forks Park.  We approached the two subjects and asked them if they knew anything about an accident and were they involved.  One white adult male subject told us that he did not know anything about an accident.  He told us that his friend was driving the PWC and needed to go to the hospital.  

Sgt. again, asked him if he was involved in an accident and he stated (I do not understand or speak English good).  While Sgt. was still trying to find out information about the accident, I ran the registration on the PWC (GA 0726EM).  Sgt. asked him if both PWC’s belong to him and he said “YES”. 
 
Lake Lanier Park Ranger told us that he would go to the hospital and interview the victim.  Ranger called us around 1800 hours and informed us that the victim has a bruised leg and scratches. 

September 4, 2016, I spoke with park employee at River Forks Park and she told me that a young adult male had her to call 911 because his friends were involved in a PWC accident.  Subject explained to Employee and the 911 operator that his friends were showing off on the PWC’s and hit each other and one has an injured leg.  

September 5, 2016, I went to the residence of victim.  I spoke with Victim about the accident and he explained to me (Cpl.) that he and operator2 were ridding the PWC’s and he (Victim) went to turn right and that’s when Operator2 hit him on the starboard side of the PWC.  He then told me that he fell off the PWC and got back on the PWC.  He then went back to the bank and that’s when his right leg started hurting really bad and decided to go to the hospital in Gainesville, Georgia.  I (Cpl.) wrote his statement for him.

On September 13, 2016, I made contact with Operator2 by phone.  Operator2 is in Illinois working.  I had him to explain to me what happen.  He stated that he and Victim were ridding the PWC’s and he (Operator2) went to pass Victim on the starboard side and that’s when Victim turned in front of him.  Operator2 stated that he tried to stop but could not and hit the other PWC.  Operator2 stated that this was the first time on a PWC and has never taken a boating course or any training.


BARDID: GA-2016-0063
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:47:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER
NearestCityorTown: FLOWERY BRANCH
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On Wednesday, June 29, 2016 I received a call about a boat incident that had occurred near Old Federal Park on Lake Lanier.  The victim had been transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton.  I responded to the hospital to begin an investigation.  I arrived on scene and the hospital staff advised me that two teenagers had brought in the victim, dropped him off and left him in the emergency room with apparent propeller cuts to his legs. 

They escorted me to the room and I began a conversation with him in the presence of his mother.  He showed obvious signs of alcohol intoxication and advised me that he had been consuming alcohol.  He said that he had been on his friend’s boat and that he had decided to do a back flip off of the boat as it was idling.  He stated that as he swam to the swim ladder, his legs got cut by the prop.  I asked him who had been driving the boat and he stated that Operator had been driving most of the day and that he was at the wheel when the incident took place.  I asked him to call Operator and allow me to speak with him.  I spoke with Operator and asked him to come back to the hospital so that I could speak with him.

A short time later, operator arrived at the hospital.  I questioned him about the accident and he advised me that he had been driving.  He stated that he put the boat in neutral and both he and the victim did back flips off of the port side of the boat.  He stated that he swam to the ladder first and climbed back into the boat.  He said that he walked to the drivers compartment and began to manipulate the controls.  A short time later, he felt the boat start to run strangely and then the victim climbed onto the boat complaining about leg pain.

During our conversation, I noticed obvious signs of alcohol impairment.  Operator had slightly slurred speech, watery, bloodshot eyes, and I smelled a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage about his breath.  I asked him how much he had to drink and he denied drinking.  He told me that it had been a couple of days since he had drank.  I asked him if he would submit to field sobriety exercises and he said, "Ok, That's fine."  I administered the following exercises and observed these results:

1) HGN: I observed all six clues.
2) Number Count: He recited slowly with thick slurred speech at times.
3) Recitation of alphabet: He recited slowly with deep concentration.  On the second set he said, "D,F,G,J,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,S...
4) Finger dexterity: He was unable to touch his finger tip to his thumb tip properly, touched out of sequence, and miscounted.  He counted as follows: 1,2,3,4,4,2,3,1,1,2,3,4,4,3,2,1,1,2,1,2,1,2,3,4,4,3,2,1,1,2,3,4,4,3,2,2,1
5) Hand pat: He did not increase his speed, miscounted, completed with poor coordination, did not separate his hands.
6) Alc0-sensor: He attempted to blow around the straw. He refused testing. 
I placed him under arrest for BUI and read him the implied consent warnings for suspects under age twenty one.  He refused blood testing.  I transported him to the Hall County Detention Center. Once at the jail, he requested to take the blood test.  A nurse began to get the kit out to administer the test and he once again refused.  He was charged with operating a vessel under the influence.


BARDID: GA-2016-0064
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:33:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: SOUTH BRUNSWICK RIVER
NearestCityorTown: BRUNSWICK
County: GLYNN
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Equipment failure
EquipmentFailure: Seat broke loose
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 6th, 2016, at 15:12 hours, Lieutenant#1 advised me to contact Corporal#1 with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division (LED) Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (CIRT) in reference to investigating a boating incident on the South Brunswick River in Glynn County at Blythe Island Park Rd.  Lieutenant#1 advised I would be the primary case agent on this case.  I contacted Corporal#1 and arranged to meet with her on the case on June 10th, 2016 to process and photograph the vessel involved in this boating incident.  
	On June 4th, 2016 at approximately 15:33 hours, The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) dispatcher received a call from Spouse#1 saying she was the Spouse of Victim1.  Spouse#1 reported that her husband had went to Blythe Island Regional Park on a fishing trip and had not been seen since 13:00 hours on June 3rd, 2016.   Spouse#1 reported that Victim1 drove a gray Dodge truck with the tag number xxxxxx.  Spouse#1 said Victim1 was a white male who was 5 feet 7 inches tall with a tattoo on his left arm. She said he was in a small 14 to 15 foot fishing boat.  DNR officers Ranger First Class (RFC) #1, (RFC) Ranger First Class #2, and Corporal#1 responded to Blythe Island and began searching the South Brunswick River area for the missing vessel.  At approximately 16:00 hours Corporal#1 met with Sergeant#1 of the Georgia Ports Authority Security to review video surveillance of the South Brunswick River, which showed a small vessel traveling on the waterway.  The United States Coast Guard was called to bring in a helicopter to assist in the search.  At 18:21 hours, the United State Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter located Victim1’s vessel abandoned in the marsh at Colonel Island.   RFC#2 and RFC#1 responded to the location of the vessel.  Corporal#1 met RFC#1 and towed the vessel from the South Brunswick River to Blythe Island Regional Park.  Seargent#2 assisted Corporal#1 with trailering Victim1’s vessel and towing it to the secured lot at the DNR Brunswick LED Office.  At 20:33 hours the search for Victim1 was suspended for the evening and set to resume at daylight on the following day.  The USCG maintained security on the South Brunswick River overnight.  
	On June 5th, 2016 at approximately 06:00 hours, Corporal#1 met with RFC#1 to resume the search for Victim1 in the South Brunswick River.  USCG officers, USCG helicopter, and Glynn county Emergency Management Agents continued searching for Victim1 until inclement weather suspended the search at 16:30 hours.  USCG officers maintained scene security overnight.  
	On June 6th, 2016, at approximately 07:00 hours, Corporal#1 met with RFC#1 to resume the search for Victim1 in the South Brunswick River. At 10:30 hours DNR officers suspended the search for Victim1 to respond to another boating incident in Camden County.  
	On June 7th, 2016, at approximately 08:00 hours, Sergeant#2, RFC#3 and RFC#4 resumed the search for Victim1 with the USCG officers and Glynn County EMA agents.  At 21:22 hours the search for Victim1 was suspended for the evening.  
	On June 8th, 2016, at approximately 08:00 hours, RFC#3 and RFC#4 resumed the search for Victim1 with Glynn County EMA agents.  While searching, RFC#3 and RFC Bright observed buzzards had gathered in the small marsh island directly across from Colonels Island near the location of where Victim1’s vessel was found.   GSP Aviation from Perry was called to assist with the search.  GSP aviation and Ranger First Class (RFC) #5 confirmed by air that the body of Victim1 was indeed in the marsh where the buzzards where gathered.   RFC#3, RFC#4, and Glynn County EMA maneuvered through the waters of the marsh a…  It is assumed the victim fell overboard as a result of his seat breaking loose.


BARDID: GA-2016-0065
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:55:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 6th, 2016 at approximately 1800 hours, I, Ranger (Rng.) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources-Law Enforcement Division-Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (GA DNR LED CIRT), was on routine vessel patrol on Lake Lanier near Sunset Cove, along with Corporal (Cpl.).  At that time, Cpl. and I, received a call from Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Dispatch who advised that a boating incident had just occurred on Lake Lanier, near Three Sisters Island, in Forsyth County.  Dispatch further advised that a possible drowning may have just occurred.  Cpl. and I, responded to the scene near Three Sisters Island, arrived at approximately 1810 hours, and found a 1999 Omni by Harris-Kayot 24' Cruiser Pontoon Vessel (Green/Silver in color)-Registration Number-GA6238PZ, Hull Identification Number- HAMP1585F900, drifting near Marker 13.  DNR Sergeant (Sgt.) and DNR Cpl. arrived on scene just prior to Cpl. and I, at approximately 1805 hours.  

	Onboard the Pontoon at the time of Cpl. and I's arrival, were four people.  Subject1, and Subject2 were swimming in the water, and attempting to look below the surface.  Both subjects said that they were attempting locate Subject3.  Cpl. and I, advised Subject1, and Subject2 to enter our patrol vessel for their safety.  They obliged, and climbed on at the stern area.  Subject1 told me that he was the owner, and operator of the Pontoon.  He told me that he had just been actively operating the Pontoon when the propeller struck Subject3.  Subject1 told me that he did not mean to strike Subject3 with the propeller of the Pontoon.  Subject1 told Subject2, in my presence, multiple times, that he was sorry for striking Subject3 with the propeller of the Pontoon.  I heard Subject2 tell Subject1, that it was not Subject1's fault, and that what had occurred was a total accident.  

	I asked Subject1 to explain what had just occurred at the scene.  He told me that while he was operating the Pontoon, he looked to the rear at another vessel being operated by his friend.  Friend was operating a 1994 Concepts Boat 28’ Open Motor Vessel (White in color)-Registration Number-GA0293KB, Hull Identification Number-DDXPF130C494.  Subject1 told me that while he was looking to the rear at the Open Motor Vessel, Subject3 deliberately jumped off of the bow of the Pontoon.  Subject1 told me that a passenger on the Open Motor Vessel had thrown a football to Subject3.  Subject3 then caught the football near the bow, and proceeded to throw it back, while simultaneously jumping straight off of the bow into the water.  Subject1 told me that Subject3 then went under the Pontoon, and the propeller struck him.  Subject1 told me that Subject3 never resurfaced.  Subject1 told me that at the moment Subject3 jumped off of the bow, that Subject1 was not looking forward, and did not see, nor realize what exactly had occurred at the time.  Subject1 told me that it was not until his wife shouted for him to cut off the engine, that he realized Subject3 had gone under the Pontoon.  Subject1 told me that both he, and Subject3, had consumed alcoholic beverages just prior to the incident occurring.  

	While speaking with Subject1, I detected the strong, and distinct odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from his person.  When Subject1 spoke, the odor of alcoholic beverage became even stronger in the air.  He spoke in a slurred manner, and had glassy, watery, and red blood-shot eyes.  His eyes were also dilated.  Subject1 then stepped into Cpl. Patrol Vessel to be evaluated for Operating a Vessel While Under the Influence (See Cpl. Incident Report).  Subject1 was subsequently arrested by Cpl., and transported to Tidwell Park in Cpl. Patrol Vessel.  Subject1 refused to sub…


BARDID: GA-2016-0066
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:15:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: FLOWERY BRANCH
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 15, 2016, I received notice of a fatal boating incident on Lake Lanier, Hall County, Georgia. I was advised to respond to Lake Lanier on Saturday July 16, 2016 as the Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (CIRT) case agent.
	I arrived at the Gainesville Medical Center at approximately 0800 hrs on July 16, 2016, where DNR Sergeant and DNR Major were standing by with two deceased female victims. I was briefed on the incident and current recovery operations by Sgt.. I was taken to the female victims to photograph and document injuries.
	The first female, identified as V1 occupant1, had open fractures to her left humerus and possible fractures to the right shoulder and collar bone area. There was a large amount of blood and fluid draining from the ears indicating head trauma. There was also a linear contusion on her outer right thigh.
	The second female had open fractures to her left humerus. V1 occupant2 had a large laceration on her head extending from the brow area to the top of the head. The laceration was deep enough to observe the skull. V1 occupant2 had broken teeth and blunt force trauma to the face. Along V1 occupant2's left arm was what appeared to be an abrasion or "road rash". Other minor abrasions were noted on V1 occupant2 arms and legs. I was advised by Sgt. these abrasions were caused by the Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) during recovery efforts. I was advised by Sgt. and Major there would not be an autopsy performed. I requested blood be drawn and toxicology be performed on all victims, in the case it was later discovered someone other than the vessel owner was operating at the time of the incident. Toxicology was not performed.
	I left the hospital and met Cpl. at Terry's Towing in Flowery Branch, GA where the vessel had been secured the night before. The vessel was a red in color 38 foot 2009 Skater 388 SS, Hull Identification Number xxxxxxxxxxxx, open motor boat with twin 1,650 horsepower Mercury inboard/outboard engines. Cpl. obtained a search warrant for the vessel. Cpl. and I began by performing an inventory of the vessel. Personal items were removed and secured to return them to family of the deceased. A large amount of alcoholic beverages were located in the vessel. Six racing personal floatation devices were found onboard. These PFDs were not U.S. Coast Guard approved devices. One expired Type IV hybrid was located on the vessel. Upon completing the inventory, Cpl. and I documented and photographed the damage to the vessel. 
	The bow and port side of the vessel did not appear to have any damage. The starboard side of the vessel had crushing damage nearly the entire length of the vessel. There were areas where the internal bulkheads pushed through the outer hull indicating the vessel had impacted the water hard on its side. The damage to the rear of the vessel indicated a hard impact. The skegs on both motors were broken off. The covers of the outer board units were also broken off. The hydraulic pump mount for the port engine was broken. Damage to the fiberglass over the unit showed the motor was pushed upward into the hull extreme force. I noted mounts were installed for trim tabs or "K-planes" but the tabs were not present. There was no damage to the mounts which indicated to me the tabs were not installed on the mounts at the time of the incident. The seating area of the vessel had water impact damage. The windows of the vessel were pushed down and back indicating the vessel was upside down and traveling forward at the time of impact.
	A marine mechanic, was brought to the vessel to download the engine computer data. The mechanic downloaded and secured the data and issued a report. Nothing indicated a mechanical failure with the engines at the time of the incident. The mechanic and I observed a speedometer mounted on the center console with a recall button. The recall function indicated a speed of 148 miles per hour.
The damage indicated to me the bow of the vessel had ramped upward and the vessel launched out of the water. The vessel fell back into the water with the port stern striking the water first. The vessel dug in and caused the starboard side to slam into the water. The force of the impact pushed the port motor up into the fiberglass deck. The vessel rocked back and forth before rolling starboard and landing upside down. During the violent side to side motion, the occupants were ejected from the vessel.
Sgt. and I returned to the hospital that evening and met with both families of the victims. Personal items not needed for the investigation were turned over to the families.
During the night, I received messages from Sgt. that the two male victims, V1 occupant3 and V1 occupant4, had been recovered by DNR Rangers and transported to the hospital in Gainesville. I requested blood to be drawn for toxicology but was advised blood could not be drawn due to coagulation. I was also advised by Sgt. that urine could not be retrieved for toxicology.
On Sunday July 17, 2016, I went to Gainesville hospital to photograph and document injuries to occupant3 and occupant4. Occupant3 did not have any exposed injuries to note. There was blood and fluid present in his nose and mouth at the time of examination. Occupant4 had a deep laceration to his left upper lip. There was blood and fluid present in occupant4’s nose and mouth.
I returned to Terry's Towing and continued examining the vessel. Photographs were taken of the damage and diagrams of the damage were started.
I reviewed witness statements obtained by other DNR Rangers the night of the incident. Witnesses stated occupant3 was running with another vessel named "Pure Platinum" operated by operator2. Witnesses estimate the vessels were traveling between 100 and 130 miles per hour. Statements show that occupant3 turned his vessel left and crossed operator2's wake. According to witnesses, occupant3's vessel went airborne, landed on the stern, bounced side to side, and then flipped landing upside down. This information matched the damage found on the vessel.
On August 15, 2016, I returned to the vessel and downloaded the onboard Global Position Satellite system of the Skater. This information showed the track of the vessel on Lake Lanier. The last speed data recorded by the GPS was 81 mph.

Conclusion:
Based upon witness statements, physical evidence available at the time of the investigation, and my knowledge,
training, and experience as a Critical Incident Reconstruction Team investigator, I, Cpl., conclude the following:

On July 15, 2016, occupant3 (operator/owner), occupant2, occupant4 and occupant1 were in occupant3's Skater vessel (Vessel 1) on Lake Lanier. Occupant3 was operating the vessel, occupant2 was in the front starboard seat. Occupant4 and occupant1 were seated in the rear seats. Vessel 1 was traveling southwest near Lake Lanier Islands and Cocktail Cove. Vessel 1 was behind operator2's vessel (Vessel 2), "Pure Platinum", and attempted to overtake Vessel 2 on the port side. As Vessel 1 crossed the wake of Vessel 2, Vessel 1 ramped over the wake. Due to the high rate of speed Vessel 1 was traveling, the bow lifted into the air and Vessel 1 became airborne. Vessel 1 fell back to the water on its port stern sponson first. The starboard sponson then came down and the vessel began to bounce starboard to port.
According to witnesses, this is when the occupants of Vessel 1 were ejected. The impact with the water at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour likely caused instant death to the victims. The vessel continued forward and rolled onto the starboard side before coming to rest upside down.
It is my opinion that speed was a major contributing factor in this incident. It is my opinion had the trim tabs/K-planes been installed, the bow of the vessel would have stayed down therefore not allowing the vessel to ramp out of the water. However, the same effect could have been obtained by the operator having the motors of the vessel trimmed properly.


BARDID: GA-2016-0067
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: OCMULGEE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: HAZLEHURST
County: JEFF DAVIS
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 4, 2016 at approximately 2300hrs subject was unable to get control of his swamped vessel due to operator error and hazardous waters. Subject was going in for the day with his two passengers. 

He was operating the vessel back to the boat ramp at Hinson Landing on the Ocmulgee River, when the motor became lodged on a sandbar due to depth change. Subject, said the bow went under a little when the boat hit the bar and his reaction to reverse out of the situation caused it to go under even more and sink. 

The vessel took on water from the bow to stern and the occupants were able to stay with the side of the vessel long enough to get their bearings to swim to safety. The 3 occupants made it to shore safely with no injuries.


BARDID: GA-2016-0068
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:56:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE RUSSELL
NearestCityorTown: ELBERTON
County: ELBERT
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 09-25-2016 at approximately 1745 hours I Corporal received a call from Richard B. Russell State Park Officer in reference to two jet skis operating in a reckless manner near the swim beach on the park in Elbert County. 

This location is in Vanns Creek on Lake Russell which are waters of the State of Georgia. Sgt. and I responded from the Clark's Hill Wildlife Management Area in McDuffie County. 

While in route  additional calls were received with status updates to include information that the jet skis had collided at the Olympic rowing dock on Vanns Creek. Upon our arrival at the scene we observed a group of people around a vehicle attached to a dual jet ski trailer with one ski loaded on it that had obvious damage to the bow and port side. 

Witnesses stated that the other vessel had sunk after the collision. The operators were identified by their own statements and those of witnesses. 

Through operator and witness statements it was determined that both vessels had been operating in a reckless manner with repeated attempts to spray each other. The collision resulted from vessel #1 following directly behind vessel #2 with vessel #2 slowing abruptly and turning hard to port. 

Vessel #1 did not change course or alter speed and struck vessel #2 just forward of the operators seat shattering the cowling and dislodging flotation. Operator #2 was ejected into the water as a result of the collision. 

Witnesses on scene assisted with the recovery of vessel #1 and both operators. Vessel #2 was seen to float approximately 100 yards before sinking. Flotation dislodged from vessel #2 was recovered by witnesses. 

Operator #1 had a small laceration under the chin and one knee. Medical attention was offered repeatedly and refused. Both operators were given field sobriety tests resulting in the arrest of operator #1 for reckless operation and operating a vessel under the influence. Operator #2 was charged with reckless operation. Vessel #1 was released to the owner.


BARDID: GA-2016-0069
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-10-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TOBESOFKEE
NearestCityorTown: MACON
County: BIBB
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On October 2nd, 2016, I, RFC received a call at approximately 1800 hours from a Lake Tobesofkee Ranger in reference to a boating incident that had occurred at Lake Tobesofkee. The Ranger explained that a bass boat had hit a pontoon boat near Claystone Park Point. The Ranger also advised that one occupant was being evaluated by EMS at the time. I advised that I would be in route to the scene. I immediately advised Sgt. of the incident and explained I would update once I received more information.

	I arrived on scene at approximately 1845 hours. I spoke with the operator of the bass boat (vessel 01). I asked Operator1 about the events that took place that night and also received a witness statement from him as to what happened. Operator1 explained that he also had his two daughters and their friend, all juveniles, on board at the time of the incident. 

	I also spoke with the operator and occupant of the pontoon boat (vessel 02) which was involved in the incident. I asked both about the events that took place that nigh and also received witness statements from both. Operator2 explained that he had a slight contusion on the back of his head that had been evaluated by Macon-Bibb County EMS. Operator2 refused to be transported to the hospital for further treatment. 

	Based on interviews and witness statements, I determined that both vessel 01 and vessel 02 were traveling north on Lake Tobesofkee near Claystone Park Point. The operator of vessel 01 attempted to overtake vessel 02 on the starboard side of vessel 2. According to the operator of vessel 01, he diverted his attention from operating his vessel to try and sync his blue tooth from his phone to the vessel. At that time he struck vessel 02 in the stern and outboard motor. The bow of vessel 01 was deflected to the port side of vessel 02 due to impact. The operator of vessel 02 received a blow to the back of his head due to the impact from vessel 01.  It is not clear what struck the operator of vessel 2 in the back of the head.

	Vessel 02 sustained extensive fiberglass damage to the stern of the vessel and mechanical damage to the outboard motor. The outboard motor appeared to have been pushed forward into the transom of the vessel. Vessel 01 also sustained fiberglass damage approximately 20 inches in length to the bow of the vessel. 
	Nothing further.


BARDID: GA-2016-0070
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: People on gunwale, bow, or transom
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentCause3: Drug
OtherAccidentCause: Alcohol use
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
     On May 21, 2016, at approximately 1930 hours, I, Corporal (CPL) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division – Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (GA DNR LED CIRT), received a call from Lieutenant (LT) GA DNR LED CIRT) telling me I was assigned as the case agent for a boating incident that occurred in Hall County, Georgia on Lake Lanier on May 21, 2016. The incident involved a single ski vessel which included one victim who was ejected from the vessel and suffered severe cuts to his legs, possibly to include an amputation.  I was off duty on this date and told LT.  I would investigate the incident on May 25, 2016.  

     On May 25, 2016, I received the witness statements Corporal (DNR LED) received at the boating incident scene on May 21, 2016.  I looked over the statements and scanned them into a file on my computer.  I started processing the vessel that was located at our DNR LED facility at Aqualand.  The vessel is a 1991 Master Craft - Mari Star 210 open motor boat, white and blue in color.  The Hull Identification number is MCCSLGX8A191.  The Georgia boat registration decal (GA 6476 XR) was located on the starboard and port side of the vessel.  The required registration letters and numbers were not displayed on either side of the vessel.  I photographed the vessel inside the warehouse, just as I found the vessel.  I then pulled the vessel out of the warehouse and proceeded to take more photographs.  I found one (1), white in color, cell phone located in the passenger side glove compartment.  The operator’s dash was broken with several original dash indicators tucked in behind the broken area.  The hour meter read 0786 hours.  I photographed the interior seating area; including the side pockets and under the seating compartment.  The capacity plate rated the vessel to hold 11 persons, or 1535 pounds.  I located an expired registration card.  The expiration date was 01/31/2012. I found a black plastic bag located in the bow seating area with one (1) unopened, Coors Light 12 oz. beer can, one (1) empty, Natural Light 12 oz. beer can, one (1) empty, Natural Light pint can, two (2) empty, Corona Extra bottles, and one (1) evidence bag containing one (1) Natural Light empty can seized by Corporal (DNR LED).  I located two (2) type II personal floatation devices (pfds) and one (1) type III pfd on the vessel.  There were three (3) ropes located in the stern compartment under the seats.  There was dried blood on the stern of the vessel behind the seating area and before the swim platform.  One (1) Hydro Slide was on board that measured 4’3” long.  Under the bow seating area, I located a wet t-shirt, white in color, inside out, with Georgia Southern text.  It appeared to be stained with blood.  I laid the t-shirt on top of the passenger windshield to dry.  One pair of brown flip flops were located under the starboard side bow seating area.  I photographed the motor; it looked to be the original motor.  I photographed the motor serial number: INDMAR Engine Serial Number – IF91899; 95-0305; Drive Serial Number – 00933 – Marine Engines. (See photos and photographic log).  I placed the vessel back in the storage facility inside the warehouse and secured it.

     On June 1, 2016, I returned to look at the vessel documenting all contents on board the vessel. I measured the vessel, “ske tube”, ski ropes and photographed them.  University of North Georgia (UNG) college intern assisted. (See evidence measurement log).

     On June 10, 2016, I reviewed supplemental statements I received from responding DNR LED Officers.  I reviewed the witness statements CPL. provided.  On June 18, 2016, I downloaded the photographs to the case file.  I documented 106 photographs onto two photographic evidence logs. (See Photographic Evidence Logs 052516 & 060116).

On June 30, 2016, I spoke with father of the victim. Victim’s father told me Victim was enduring infections due to his surgery and was still in the hospital receiving treatment. Victim’s father told me he would try to have Victim provide a statement as soon as he could provide one. I told Victim’s father I would contact him the following week. On July 12, 2016, I received a text message from Victim’s father stating Victim has been through additional surgeries. Victim’s father said he was still working on providing me with a written statement. Victim’s father said Victim was heavily medicated due to all the surgeries. Victim’s father said he would provide me with the medical records, but they could not be released until Victim was discharged. On July 19, 2016, I met with Victim’s father. Victim’s father provided me with a written statement from Victim and the medical records received after he was discharged on June 17, 2016. I reviewed Victim’s written statement and medical records on July 21, 2016. (See Victim statement and Medical Records).

On October 7, 2016, I received Operator's blood alcohol and toxicology report by email from Cpl.. Operator's blood alcohol concentration was tested below 0.02grams. Operator's toxicology report indicated positive for marijuana. (See Operator bac/toxicology report - Division of Forensic Sciences (DOFS-GBI) case# 2016-8001989). Based on the physical evidence at the scene and the statements from DNR LED Rangers, witness statements, videos, photographs and medical records the facts show that on May 21, 2016, at approximately 16:20 hours, Operator was operating a Mari Star, Mastercraft Ski boat on Lake Lanier near Bolding Mill Campground. Operator had seven (7), adult male occupants on board. 

All persons’ on board were under the age of 21. All persons’ on board the vessel were consuming alcoholic beverages. While the vessel was in motion, Operator made a sharp, fast turn to the left, that caused the vessel to “power slide” on the water, causing his starboard passenger, Victim, who was riding on the starboard gunwale in front of Operator, to fall out of the vessel. While the vessel continued to slide, the stern of the vessel slid to the right, causing the vessel to run on top of Victim. The propeller cut through Victim’s legs, below the knees causing a traumatic amputation to his left foot and a significant degloving injury to his right leg. Victim also received three (3) deep wounds to his posterior left thigh. The occupants on board assisted Victim with getting him back on board the vessel. A witness at the campground called 911 at 16:24 hours. DNR LED Rangers arrived at the scene at approximately 17:00 hours. Paramedics arrived on scene and attended to Victim. Victim was life-flighted by helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital where he received treatment in the trauma unit. After the boating incident, CPL. arrested Operator for operating a vessel under the influence, littering, and operating a vessel with insufficient pfds. Witnesses observed the illegal alcohol consumption and littering violations. DNR LED Rangers confirmed the alcoholic beverages found in the water were related to the alcoholic beverages located on the vessel. Occupants on board the vessel admitted to drinking alcoholic beverages and were cited for underage consumption of alcohol. The occupants on board were also cited for littering. During the safety equipment inspection, Ranger's confirmed there was only six (6) pfds on board. The vessel was missing two (2) adult wearable pfds. 

Victim’s limbs were non-salvageable. Victim received traumatic amputations below both of his knees. Victim had multiple surgeries as he continued to fight off infections that reoccurred after the initial surgeries to his legs. 

Based on my knowledge and experience it is my opinion, drugs and alcohol were significant contributing factors in the boating incident. Another contributing factor includes the boating violation of riding/allowing person to ride the gunwale. It is probable Victim was not expecting a sharp turn or a jolt from a possible wake that may have occurred. This likely caused him to lose his balance on the gunwale and fall out of the boat while the boat was still sliding to the right from the stern, running on top of him, causing him to make contact with the propeller.
     On May 25, 2016, I received the witness statements Corporal (DNR LED) received at the boating incident scene on May 21, 2016.  I looked over the statements and scanned them into a file on my computer.  I started processing the vessel that was located at our DNR LED facility at Aqualand.  The vessel is a 1991 Master Craft - Mari Star 210 open motor boat, white and blue in color.  The Hull Identification number is MCCSLGX8A191.  The Georgia boat registration decal (GA 6476 XR) was located on the starboard and port side of the vessel.  The required registration letters and numbers were not displayed on either side of the vessel.  I photographed the vessel inside the warehouse, just as I found the vessel.  I then pulled the vessel out of the warehouse and proceeded to take more photographs.  I found one (1), white in color, cell phone located in the passenger side glove compartment.  The operator’s dash was broken with several original dash indicators tucked in behind the broken area.  The hour meter read 0786 hours.  I photographed the interior seating area; including the side pockets and under the seating compartment.  The capacity plate rated the vessel to hold 11 persons, or 1535 pounds.  I located an expired registration card.  The expiration date was 01/31/2012. I found a black plastic bag located in the bow seating area with one (1) unopened, Coors Light 12 oz. beer can, one (1) empty, Natural Light 12 oz. beer can, one (1) empty, Natural Light pint can, two (2) empty, Corona Extra bottles, and one (1) evidence bag containing one (1) Natural Light empty can seized by Corporal (DNR LED).  I located two (2) type II personal floatation devices (pfds) and one (1) type III pfd on the vessel.  There were three (3) ropes located in the stern compartment under the seats.  There was dried blood on the stern of the vessel behind the seating area and before the swim platform.  One (1) Hydro Slide was on board that measured 4’3” long.  Under the bow seating area, I located a wet t-shirt, white in color, inside out, with Georgia Southern text.  It appeared to be stained with blood.  I laid the t-shirt on top of the passenger windshield to dry.  One pair of brown flip flops were located under the starboard side bow seating area.  I photographed the motor; it looked to be the original motor.  I photographed the motor serial number: INDMAR Engine Serial Number – IF91899; 95-0305; Drive Serial Number – 00933 – Marine Engines. (See photos and photographic log).  I placed the vessel back in the storage facility inside the warehouse and secured it.

     On June 1, 2016, I returned to look at the vessel documenting all contents on board the vessel. I measured the vessel, “ske tube”, ski ropes and photographed them.  University of North Georgia (UNG) college intern assisted. (See evidence measurement log).


BARDID: GA-2016-0071
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LITTLE SATILLA RIVER
NearestCityorTown: WOODBINE
County: CAMDEN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 23rd at approximately 1000 HRS RFC received a call in reference to a vessel collision. Information was given that both of the vessels were headed back to Hickory Bluff Marina. RFC1 responded via truck to Hickory Bluff Marina. Upon arrival both vessels were arriving to the dock. RFC1 immediately ensured all occupants of both vessels were medically ok. All refused medical attention. 

Operator1 had minor lacerations to his arm and knees. All others involved appeared uninjured. Both vessels have a substantial amount of damage to the bows. According to all subjects involved, vessel 2 (v2) was fishing at anchor.

 vessel 1 (v1) was traveling downriver and struck v2 head on. Both subjects in v2 jumped into the water as v1 struck head on. The operator of v1, Operator1, stated that he was on plane and had some water spray his eye glasses. As he went to clean them he was not watching the waterway at that time. The passenger of v1 yelled that there was a boat but was too late for Operator1 to respond. 

After contact, Operator1 stated that he immediately reversed off of v2 and stated that the only way to save his vessel was return up on plane and return to the dock, keeping the bow of his vessel above the water line. Both subjects in v2 returned to their vessel and traveled back to the dock as well. Operator1 stated that he did not have insurance on his vessel but would pay for the repairs to v2.

 Operator1 was cited for Violating rules of the Road. The occupant on v2 had a warrant out of Glynn County. RFC1 contacted Georgia State Patrol Dispatch to verify the warrant and dispatch a trooper. Trooper responded for transport to Glynn County Detention Center. RFC1 photographed both vessels damages.


BARDID: GA-2016-0072
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:05:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE JACKSON
NearestCityorTown: MONTICELLO
County: JASPER
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 9/10/16, at approximately 1600 hours, I, Corporal with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division's Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (CIRT) received a call in regards to a boating incident. I was told the incident occurred on Lake Jackson in Jasper County and that the young victim had been taken by helicopter to a hospital in Macon, Georgia. I was told there was already an officer at the hospital and I could proceed to the lake to gather additional information about the boating incident. 

          I met with officers at the Lake Jackson Georgia Power Land Resources Office. Cpl. told me that 2 subjects were on separate wave runners when the incident occurred. According to Cpl. per witness accounts and the statement from Operator1, operator2 was in front of Operator1 by approximately 20 yards and both were traveling at an approximate speed of 40 mph. According to Operator1, he was not following directly behind Operator2, but was off set some 10 to 12 feet to the port side of Operator2's wave runner. Cpl. went on to tell me that Operator2 made an abrupt and sudden turn to the port and at this time was ejected from the wave runner. Because of the speed and the close proximity of the 2 wave runners, Operator1 could not alter his course and ran over Operator2. 

          Operator1 said he immediately jumped into the water and began "rescue breaths" because he couldn't detect a pulse for Operator2. Witnesses in a nearby boat pulled both subject's into their vessel and Operator1 said he performed CPR while on the way to the dock. Per witness statements, Operator2 did regain consciousness while on the boat. 

          Neither of the wave runners made contact with each other, so there was no damage to record from Vessel 1 or Vessel 2. There was also no physical evidence on the underside of Vessel 1 where it struck Operator2.  I photographed the vessels from an all around perspective to show the lack of damage and documented the Georgia registration numbers and hull identification numbers.  

          I gathered what other pertinent information I needed from Cpl. to complete my report and told Cpl. that the wave runners could be returned to the owner. 

          Later that evening I made contact with Operator2's mother, to see what the status of T. Operator2's injuries were. Operator2’s mom told me that Operator2 had suffered a head injury, but was stable and heavily sedated. Operator2’s mom went on to say that they were waiting for a room in ICU to open up. I told her I would call back the next date to check on them and did so on 9/11/16. I also called back and left a message for Operator2’s mom on 9/15/16, but never heard back from her. 

          Conclusion:
               It is my opinion based on the investigation, the statement of Operator1, and witness statements that on 9/10/16, Operator2 and Operator1 were individually operating wave runners on Lake Jackson in Jasper County. During the course of that activity, Operator2 made an abrupt change of direction and was thrown from the wave runner. Operator1, who was operating a wave runner some 20 yards behind Operator2, could not alter his direction and consequently hit  Operator2 while he was in the water. The wave runner struck Operator2 in the head causing the injuries that Operator2 sustained. 

               This report is based solely on the information made available to me at the time of the investigation and may be changed or modified with the discovery of new information.


BARDID: GA-2016-0073
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:20:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: LITTLE SATILLA RIVER
County: CAMDEN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Weather
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 1030 hours on 06/06/2016, I, Corporal#1, of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Law Enforcement Division (LED), received a call from United States Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Charleston reporting two missing boaters. USCG officers obtained the missing boaters last known location from cellular phone records. USCG officers reported the location at global positioning system (GPS) coordinates 031° 02.467' North latitude, 081° 29.054' West longitude. Ranger#1, Ranger#2 and I responded to Little Satilla River, arriving on scene at 1040 hours. We located the vessel in the marsh off of the north side of the Little Satilla River bank at GPS coordinates 031° 02.468' North latitude, 081° 29.053' West longitude.
 
The vessel is a Suntracker® pontoon boat, 21 feet in length, with Georgia registration numbers GAxxxxxx, registered to Subject#1. At 1045 hours, I boarded the vessel and found a small white dog onboard. I took the dog back to the patrol vessel. I located personal items on board the vessel belonging to Subject#1 and Subject#2. I took possession of Subject#2 pocket book containing Subject#1’s and Subject#2’s cellular phones and wallets. I photographed the vessel. The Garmin Chart Plotter Unit was on, I turned the unit off to preserve evidence. I observed the key in the ignition was in the on position and the throttle was engaged in forward gear. I observed the motor was titled approximately half way up. I did not observe any damage to the vessel. 

I called Relative#1, Subject#1’s son, and spoke with him regarding the condition of the vessel. Relative#1 said that Subject#1 had called him on 6/5/2016 at approximately 1550 hours. Subject#1 told Relative#1 that the vessel was grounded on a sandbar at low tide and that they (Subject#1 and Subject#2) were waiting for the tide to come in. Relative#1 did not hear back from Subject#1 and was unable to contact him later. 

I told Relative#1, we had their dog and made arrangements to return the dog to him and to have SeaTow® tow the vessel back to the DNR office. At 1430, I met with SeaTow® and assisted in towing the vessel from the marsh. I maintained custody of the vessel as it was towed to the DNR office at One Conservation Way in Brunswick, Georgia. The vessel was removed from the water and stored in a secured lot. At approximately 1800 hours, I met with Relative#1 and informed him of search and recovery efforts underway. At 1700 hours, search efforts were suspended overnight due to the inclement weather associated with tropical storm Colin. 

Search efforts resumed on 6/07/216 at 0800 hours. GADNR LED Rangers: Ranger#1 and Captain#1, assisted by USCG officers and Camden County Sheriff’s Office, continued search efforts. At approximately 1030 hours, Subject#1 was located at the mouth of Dover Creek in the Little Satilla River. Subject#1 was turned over to Camden County Deputy Coroner. The aforementioned agencies continued search efforts for Subject#2 until approximately 2130 hours. 

Search efforts resumed on 6/08/2016 at 0800 hours. GADNR LED Rangers: Ranger#1, Ranger#3 and Aviation Unit, assisted by USCG officers and Camden County Sheriff’s Office, continued search efforts until approximately 2000 hours. 
Search efforts resumed on 6/09/2016 at 0700 hours. GADNR LED Rangers Ranger#1, Ranger#4 and Aviation Unit, assisted by USCG officers and Camden County Sheriff’s Office, continued search efforts until approximately 2030 hours. 

Search efforts resumed on 6/10/2016 at 0700 hours. GADNR LED Rangers Ranger#4 and Ranger#2 and Aviation Unit, assisted by USCG officers and Camden County Sheriff’s Office, continued search efforts. At 1214 hours, Subject#2 was located and recovered from GPS coordinates 030° 59.491' North latitude, 081° 29.430' West long


BARDID: GA-2016-0074
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE HARTWELL
NearestCityorTown: HARTWELL
County: HART
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/29/2016 I received a phone call from subject about a boating incident that had occurred on 08/27/2016 between his vessel and another vessel on Lake Hartwell. 

I also received a call from an Operator2 around the same time advising me that he was the other vessel involved. 

Both of the operators had different accounts of what happened and also had different views of where the incident actually occurred. Operator2 said that the incident occurred in South Carolina and Operator1 said the incident occurred in Georgia waters. 

I called the SC DNR and advised them of the incident and we discussed how to work the incident. After a period of time Operator2 conceded that the incident happened in Georgia waters so he could get an incident report for insurance purposes. Both operator statements are included in this report and witness statements to the incident are included as well.  Vessel1 operator statement indicates that Vessel2 ran into his vessel while he had lights on sitting still with witness statements to support his claim.  Vessel2 operator statement indicates he ran into vessel 1 because no lights were turned on the boat prior to impact and he has witness statements to support his claim as well.   Due to conflicting reports and lack of physical evidence, I find that neither vessel were at fault.


BARDID: GA-2016-0076
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 04:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FREDERICA RIVER
NearestCityorTown: ST SIMONS ISLAND
County: GLYNN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, August 6, 2016 at approximately 1130 hours, I, RFC received information regarding a vessel that had struck the #1 Green Day Marker in the Frederica River at St. Simons Sound in Glynn County Georgia.  The initial information that was given, was that that day marker had been struck but no information for the vessel that hit it was obtained.  At approximately 1400 hours I was able to obtain information for the individual whom had struck the day marker and make contact with him by phone.  The vessel operator, advised that he had hit the day marker early in the morning while preparing to go offshore for a fishing trip.  I made sure he nor his passenger, had received any injuries nor required any medical attention, in which they did not.  I was able to set up a time to meet subject at Morningstar Marina on St. Simons Island, Georgia and investigate the incident further.

	At approximately 1700 hours I met Operator to obtain information regarding the incident.  Black advised that around 0415 hours he was returning to Morningstar Marina from McKay River where he went to get bait for the offshore fishing trip.  As he was negotiating the turn (at approximately 22-24 knots) to come back into the Frederica River he briefly looked down to adjust his chart plotter and radar screens.  When he looked up he saw the silhouette of a piling or marker and quickly made a turn (1/2 turn to 3/4 turn) to port and struck the Green #1 Day marker on the starboard side of the vessel.  Although shaken by the incident, he and his passenger sustained no injuries and returned to Morningstar Marina where they terminated their trip due to the damage to the vessel.  

	Operator and I went to the vessel and surveyed the damage, which coincided with his statement.  The starboard bow sustained damage both inside and out with visible cracks and separations, especially inside the gunwale wall.  There were markings approximately midship and starboard quarter from what appeared to be where he was trying to avoid collision with the day marker.  The skeg on the starboard motor was bent and the propeller drive shaft had a wobble from where the motor/propeller likely struck the submerged portion of the day marker.  

	I photographed the visible damage to the vessel and requested that Operator give me a written statement pertaining to the incident, in which he did.  The photographs and written statement are included in the case file.  It should also be noted that low tide on the morning of August 6, 2016 was approximately 0419 hours at the St. Simons Bar in Glynn County, Georgia.

	On Thursday, September 8, 2016, Operator contacted me regarding the insurance estimate for the vessel.  The estimate was $17,200.00.

End of Report.


BARDID: GA-2016-0077
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:55:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BACK RIVER TYBEE
NearestCityorTown: TYBEE ISLAND
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Based on witness statements and interviews, I, Sergeant believe the accident occurred due to several reasons. The main reason is inattention to the operators surroundings. Vessel 2 ran into vessel one tied to the dock.


BARDID: GA-2016-0078
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-11-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:05:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: DUPLIN RIVER
NearestCityorTown: VALONA
County: MCINTOSH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 11/29/2016 at approximately 1705, Operator1 and occupant were headed east on the right side of the Duplin river approaching the right bend in the river near the Sapelo Island barge dock turning right. 

At the same time,  operator2 and two occupants were headed north on the left side of the Duplin river at the same bend in the river turning left.  Both operators advised they were on plane and at cruising speed. Operator1 and Operator2 met at the curve(bend). 

Both operators advised that they had less than 50 feet between them at the time they saw each other. Both operators made hasty maneuvers to avoid collision, Operator1 even going to full reverse, Operator2's(boat 2) made contact to Operator1's(boat 1) right front side going up onto Operator1's boat then sliding or rolling off to the right side.


BARDID: GA-2016-0079
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SINCLAIR
NearestCityorTown: MILLEDGEVILLE
County: BALDWIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
V01 was traveling northeast into Rocky Creek on Lake Sinclair. 

V02 was drifting North in Rocky Creek securing tubing equipment. 

V01 struck V02 on the stern end of the vessel's port side. The operator to V01 stated the sun was in his eyes and he did not see V01. 

Minor upholstery damage was documented on V02 consisting of a tear to the rear padded lounge/engine cover and rub marks to the paint on the port side. Moderate fiberglass damage was documented on V01 consisting of a puncture approximately 28 inches long to the starboard front portion of the vessel. No injuries were reported. 

Operator of V01 was issued a citation for violation of rules of the road. Contributing factors for V02 were listed as OTHER- (no contributing factors).


BARDID: GA-2016-0080
State: GA
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2016-06-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SINCLAIR
NearestCityorTown: MILLEDGEVILLE
County: BALDWIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Shift
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
V01 was in the area of Rocky Creek at the Sinclair Dam. Operator stated he was idling along and explained the throttle was sticking several times when he attempted to accelerate. 

Operator stated the throttle eventually loosened and he simultaneously heard a popping sound at the rear of the vessel as the stern area of the boat caught fire. 

Operator explained he and the three passengers bailed out of the vessel and watched as it burned. Upon my arrival, Baldwin County Fire Dept. was on scene and explained to me there was attempt to tow the vessel to the shore line but the vessel sank to the bottom before they could make it. Baldwin Fire explained the vessel sank in 35-40 feet of water adjacent to the Sinclair Dam. No one was injured.  The boat was a total loss.


BARDID: GA-2016-0082
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: OGEECHEE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: SAVANNAH
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Report by:  Cpl. - GA DNR LED

     On Aug. 14, 2016, boat operator and subject were travelling by boat upriver on the Ogeechee River headed towards Ft. McAllister Marina.  After passing Shad Island and then Harvey's Cut on the right-side (Chatham County side) of the river, Operator steered to cut across the river towards Ft. McAllister State Park on the left shoreline.  Operator was using an Garmin map/chart plotter with an older version of map/chart software.  Operator was unaware that the river channel had changed and shifted more upstream during the past years.  The vessel hit a mudbar that was barely covered by water.  The tide was incoming at the time of the incident.  The vessel was of a dual-console design and the victim was standing next to the operator at the walk-thru part of the console.  Upon impact with the mudbar, the victim was thrown downward and forward onto the bow floor.  While falling, she tried to grab hold of the console, causing her to spin around and she fell backwards onto the floor where she struck her head on the bow seating area.  She suffered a scalp laceration which started bleeding.  

      Operator attended to the victim and wrapped a towel around her head to try to stop the bleeding.  He then attempted to get the boat off the mudbar but could not do so.  He then called 911 and got the Bryan County 911 dispatch to report the incident and request emergency assistance.  Since he was stuck on the water, Bryan 911 transferred his call to U.S. Coast Guard Station at Tybee Island.   The Coast Guard advised that they did not have a boat or helicopter available to respond.  Operator then tried to get the boat off the mudbar again and was successful since the incoming tide had lifted the boat up off the bar.  He again contacted  Bryan County 911 and advised them that he was off the bar and headed to Ft. McAllister Marina.  He requested that an ambulance meet them at the dock.  An ambulance and fire responders were dispatched to the scene.

      I, Cpl., overheard the call on my radio and proceeded to the scene.  The first responders, ambulance crew and deputies were already on scene when I arrived.  The victim was being treated and then placed on a backboard.  We lifted her out of the boat onto a gurney.  She was then transported to Memorial Hospital in Savannah, GA.  I then obtained some basic information and brief description of the incident from the operator, then let him proceed home so he could go meet the victim at the hospital.

      On Aug. 19th, I met with the Operator and the victim at their residence to gather further information and a more detailed description of the incident for the boating incident report.


BARDID: GA-2016-0085
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:13:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: DELEGAL CREEK
NearestCityorTown: SKIDAWAY ISLAND
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 5/8/16 I was notified of a boat incident at The Landings Subdivision, Delegal Marina, on Skidaway Marine, involving a blue, 30 foot Cape Dory vessel (V1), which struck and broke a piling and made contact with a second vessel, a 31 foot White Cape Horn (V2).  V1 was occupied by two people and neither reported any injuries at the time of the incident, V2 was unoccupied and docked at the Delegal Marina.  V1 was backing out of a slip and made contact with a dock piling, located at the end of the slip, on V1’s Port side.  V1 went forward and made contact with V2 and a center piling separating the boat slip that V1 was backing out of and snapped the center (dividing) piling off below the water line.

On 5/13/16 I met with Operator1 who said he was backing V1 out of the slip when the wind and water current pushed his boat into the pilings and V2 causing a scratch to the Port side of V1 and breaking the piling separating the two slips.  Operator1 said he did not observe any damage to V2.  Operator1 said he was not going to get an estimate on the damage to his vessel but said it might cost approximately $1,000 to repair the scratch to V1’s paint.  Operator1 said neither he nor occupant received any injury during the incident.

On 5/13/16 I met with The Landings Marina Manager, who told me he was outside at the Delegal Marina on 5/8/16 and observed V1 struggling to back out of the slip and make contact with the pilings and V2.  He received a quote of approximately $7,500 to repair the broken piling.

On 5/17/16 I met with owner of V2, who said he could not see any damage to V2 but planned to pull the boat out of the water soon and look more closely for any damage.  I asked him to notify me once he removed V2 from the water if he observed any damage.  There are no further leads or information at this time.

On 6/4/16 I contacted v2 owner by phone and told me he did observe damage to the bow of V2 once it was removed from the water.  He said he received an estimate of $1,150 to repair the damage to V2.


BARDID: GA-2016-0086
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: GEORGE H. SPARKS RESERVOIR
NearestCityorTown: DOUGLASVILLE
County: DOUGLAS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Equipment failure
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
EquipmentFailure: Other
OtherEquipmentFailure: Pedal mechanism
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 31, 2016, at approximately 07:45 hours, I, Ranger #1 was contacted by Lieutenant #1 of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division concerning a drowning at the Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas County.  Lieutenant #1 advised me that I would be the case officer for the incident, and I advised Lieutenant #1 that I would be en route.    

	At approximately 09:15 hours I arrived on scene and was met by Investigator #1 from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Sergeant #1 also with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.  Sergeant #1 advised me that two individuals identified as Subject1 and Subject2 rented a paddle pontoon boat from the Sweetwater Creek State Park Rental Facility and were paddling around the lake when the chain came off of the sprocket.  Sergeant #1 advised me that Subject1 jumped from the pontoon and attempted to repair the chain.  While attempting to repair the chain he became separated from the vessel and went under the water.  Sergeant #1 along with other Rangers from the area had been attempting to locate the victim since the evening of May 30. 

	Approximately thirty minutes later, I was able to inspect and photograph the vessel.  The vessel had been secured in a storage bay near the rental boat docks.  Upon inspection of the vessel I did observe where the chain came off of both the front and rear drive sprockets.  I also observed two personal flotation devices and a black t-shirt on the vessel.  

	At approximately 11:30 hours I was able to interview Subject2.  Subject2 stated that he and his brother had arrived at the park at approximately 15:30 hours and rented a paddle pontoon boat at approximately 16:15 hours.  Subject2 stated that he and his brother paddled the pontoon boat out on the lake and were starting to come back when the chain that ran the paddles broke.  Subject2 said that Subject1 removed his life jacket and jumped into the water in an attempt to fix the chain.  Subject1 then became separated from the vessel and started screaming for help.  Subject2 said that he threw a life jacket at Subject1, but it did not reach him.  Then removed his life jacket and also threw it along with a paddle from the vessel but neither item made it to Subject1.  Subject2 stated that while Subject1 was screaming for help that some other people were trying to get to them to assist.  Subject2 later stated that he and Subject1 had consumed a bottle of vodka and a couple of Mike's Hard Lemonade drinks prior to them getting to the park.  

	Next I interviewed a cousin of Subject1 and Subject2, identified as Cousin1.  Cousin1 stated that he had been out on the boat with Subject1 and Subject2 earlier in the day, but decided to come back in when Subject1 decided to start splashing him with water.  Cousin1 stated that he was fully clothed and had his phone with him and did not want to get wet.  Cousin1 said that he was brought back to the bank and Subject1 and Subject2 went back out on the lake.  Cousin1 stated that he decided to go to the store with two other family member and when they got back the Sheriff's Department and Emergency Medical Services were there.

	At approximately 18:00 hours, I was able to interview two witnesses that were on the water and attempted to assist in rescuing Subject1.  Both witnesses, identified as Witness #1 and #2, stated that they were out on the lake in a canoe when they heard someone screaming for help, and started paddling over to assist.  Witness #1 and #2 both stated that they observed an individual in the water and an individual on the paddle pontoon throwing life jackets to the person in the water.  Witness #1 and #2 both said that when they were about 50 meters from the person in the water, Witness #1 jumped from the canoe and attem


BARDID: GA-2016-0087
State: GA
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2016-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SINCLAIR
County: BALDWIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Failure to vent
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel A had just fueled up and had been pushed away from the dock at Twin Bridges Marina, and was adrift. The operator attempted to crank Vessel A twice with the blower on unsuccessfully. The operator cut the blower off and attempted to crank Vessel A. 

Vessel A cranked and resulted in an explosion from the engine compartment. Both the operator and the occupant jumped overboard and swam to shore. The occupants described the fire as small initially but that it quickly increased intensity. A County fire/rescue boat attempted to pull Vessel A to shore after extinguishing the fire but Vessel A was a complete loss and fell apart and sank.


BARDID: GA-2016-0088
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: WEST POINT LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LAGRANGE
County: TROUP
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 19, 2016 at approximately 16:57 hours, I, Cpl., was buying fuel for our West Point Lake state patrolboat when I was approached by Highland Marina staff about a boating incident involving one of their rental personal watercraft. Staff asked me to wait and meet with the owner who was on her way to the marina. 

The owner met me at the store and led me to a damaged Kawasaki Jetski tied to the boat dock at Highland Marina. The 2011 Kawasaki Jetski STX 15 F bearing valid Georgia Registration GA 1028 SU  had noticeable damage to the Port side of the vessel and the steering column area. She advised she was going to go get the operator for me to talk to. 

A short time later she returned with 2 men whom I identified as Subject1 and Operator1 through identification.

Subject1 said he did not know what happened and was not there. He only rented the personal watercraft. 

Operator1 told me that he was driving the Kawaskai personal watercraft (PWC) just to have fun and was trying to turn around when he lost control of the PWC so he stopped it. Operator1 said at that time he looked to his left, saw a PWC coming at him so he jumped off the PWC, and watched as the other PWC ran over the top of his PWC. When asked, Operator1 could not give a description of the other PWC or operator involved in the incident.

Subject1 stated that "subject2" might know who it was and gave the telephone number to Sgt.. Sgt. told me that he called "Subject2" and he told him that he would attempt to get information on the other operator and call back. 

Subject1 told me that they were staying in Cabin 24 and that "subject2" was in cabin 25. 

I told Subject1 and Operator1 they were free to go back to their Cabin.

I went and tried to make contact with "Subject2" at Cabin 25 with no success.

Sgt. and I began patrol of West Point Lake by boat and upon exiting the Idle Speed area at Highland Marina we noticed a PWC spraying the bank in front of Cabin 25 to violate 52-7-8.2, the"100ft law". 

I activated the emergency equipment on our patrol to activate a stop of the vessel. Upon stopping the PWC I encountered subject who told me he was "Subject2's" son. I noticed damage to the bow of the PWC and asked him had he been involved in an accident on that date. He said no but that a family friend had. I asked him who it was and he replied he didn't know either driver but they were driving one of the Highland rental PWC. I asked him what the striking PWC looked like and he said it was the other Highland Marina rental their group had. I issued him a warning.

No further details at this time.


BARDID: GA-2016-0089
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SEMINOLE
County: DECATUR
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: vessel destruction
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On Monday, June 27, 2016 at approximant 5:45 pm I received a call from dispatch in reference to a boat sinking on the Flint River just south of Bainbridge.  Dispatch advised there were three people aboard the vessel and the sheriff’s department was launching a boat.  

I then called Deputy and he advised me the subjects were safe and they were heading back to the Bainbridge Marina.  

When I arrived at the Marina, Deputy was towing a Procraft boat behind the patrol vessel.  The operator of the vessel was identified.  

Operator advised as they were taking off in the vessel when he heard a cracking noise in the back of the boat.  He stated he started to head back to the Boat Basin when the motor fell off and the boat started to sink.  I asked Operator if he hit anything with his vessel and he replied “No”.  When Operator loaded his boat on the trailer, the back transom of the vessel appeared to be rotten and the vessel motor was hanging on by the steering cable.  Operator gave a written statement on the incident.


BARDID: GA-2016-0090
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FLINT RIVER
NearestCityorTown: ALBANY
County: DOUGHERTY
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
	On the afternoon of May 14th, 2016, Ranger and I were dispatched to a boat accident on the Flint River in Dougherty County (17:10 PM). GSP dispatch stated that two boats were involved and there were no injuries or anyone in the water. Ranger got the complainant’s information from GSP and called Operator2, who stated that his vessel was struck by another vessel and had sank. Operator2 stated he had tied his boat off to a tree and would be awaiting our arrival. 

Ranger confirmed that no one was injured and Operator2 stated that there were no injuries. I notified GSP Dispatch that we would be in route from the upper end of the Kinchafoonee Creek.

Ranger and myself arrived on scene at 17:57 PM. We assessed the damage to the vessels and occupants for injuries and identified all the parties and witnesses involved. I noticed that one of the children involved was acting lethargic, so EMS was called to the scene. While waiting for EMS to arrive, we had all occupants write voluntary statements about what they remembered about the incident. 

Everyone’s account of the incident was the same, that Vessel 1 and Vessel 2 were traveling in opposite directions as they approached the blind curve. As the two vessels met, Vessel 2 turned right to avoid Vessel 1 as Vessel 1 turned left, striking Vessel 2. Vessel 1 struck Vessel 2, with the bow, where the windshield attached to the fiberglass hull. The impact caused Vessel 2 to sink, due to the hull cracking from the bow to the stern. The impact also ejected the bow-riding passenger from Vessel 1 into the river. 

While the occupants finished writing their statements, I returned to Cromartie Beach Landing, picked up EMS personnel and transported them to the scene to check out the patients. EMS personnel cleared all occupants of any injures. Vessel 1 was driven back to Cleve Cox Boat Landing with all occupants on board; the occupants of vessel 2 were transported back to the landing by DNR patrol vessel. 

My investigation determined that the operator of Vessel 1, caused the collision by failing to obey the rules of the road, striking and sinking Vessel 2. 

Later that evening (May 14th) (Vessel 2 Passenger at Impact Seat) began experiencing injury symptoms that required an examination at the hospital; he was diagnosed with a minor concussion. 

Report Filed


BARDID: GA-2016-0091
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-03-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:04:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE
NearestCityorTown: FORT GAINES
County: CLAY
WaterConditions: Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 03262016 at approximately 15:20 hrs. I was notified by Alabama Marine Patrol in reference to a sunken vessel on the Georgia side of Lake Walter F. George. I called Eufaula 911 and they advised that they had just received a call in reference to his boat sinking and that he was unaware of his location on the lake. Eufaula 911 gave me contact information. I contacted Subject1 and he advised that he and subject2 were uninjured and had gotten their vessel to the shore.


BARDID: GA-2016-0094
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-11-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 07:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HIRD ISLAND CREEK
County: MCINTOSH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday November 5, 2016, I, Ranger First Class, responded to Blue N Hall Marina in reference to a boating accident.  When I arrived at Blue N Hall it was approximately 0825 A.M.  I was informed that one of the boats had extensive damage to the hull and that it was taking on water, the other boat was not damaged near as bad, and that it was able to return to the dock on its own. 

	Once all parties arrived at Blue N Hall, I began gathering the occupants’ information from each vessel.  This is when I learned that 2 of the occupants from vessel 2 had already departed and headed for the Emergency Room at the SEGA Health System.  I took photographs of both boats as they were being lifted out of the water and onto the dock.  I learned that each boat had 3 people on board, and that there was one person ejected from vessel 2.  

	Vessel 1 is a 2002 21' Key West Bay reef with a 225 h.p. Honda four stroke outboard on it.  It is insured by State Farm.  Also on board the morning of the accident, were two people.  V1subject explained to me his version of the accident, and provided a written witness statement as well.  V1subject provided a written statement and also spoke with me about the accident.  

	Vessel 2 is a 2004 19' Sea Boss with a 140 h.p. Suzuki motor on it.  It is owned by three co-owners, and is insured through Corley Insurance Agency.  Also on board with my Operator2 were his father and his brother.  Both were gone to the Emergency room prior to my arrival.  I later met with them at the emergency room to interview them.  

	After interviewing both vessel operators, I concluded that vessel 1 was inbound in Hird Island Creek while vessel 2 was outbound.  Vessel 1 had just come around a horseshoe shaped bend in the river to the right.  Vessel 1 was traveling on the right side of the creek when he met vessel 2 in a head on course.  

Vessel 2 was in a left hand curve of the creek traveling on his left hand side of the creek when he met vessel 1 in a head on course.  Vessel 1 began anticipating a collision and started to make a right hand turn towards the creek bank.  Vessel 2 also anticipated a collision and began steering to the left to avoid hitting vessel 1.  When vessel 1 saw vessel 2 turning in his direction he also began to throttle down and turned even more to the right.  This is when the two boats collided, the bow of vessel 2 hitting vessel 1 on the port side.  The collision caused both boats to turn violently, ejecting the driver of vessel 2 and disabling the motor on vessel 1.  Everyone else ended up in the floor of the two boats.  

	Vessel 1 sustained extensive damage to the hull on the port side.   The motor on vessel 1 was knocked off its bracket, and was hanging to the side.  The bow of the boat had extensive damage to the interior all the way to the front of the console.  Several places were cracked on the hull.


No charges pending.


BARDID: GA-2016-0095
State: GA
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2016-02-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: SAVANNAH RIVER
NearestCityorTown: SAVANNAH
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
3/3/16- I, Ranger, received an email from Sergeant instructing me to contact Operator1 regarding a boating incident. I called Operator1 and he agreed to meet me tomorrow (3/4/16) at his residence. Operator1 said no one was seriously injured. 

3/4/16- I met Operator1 at his residence and got his information and asked him to write a statement of what occurred. The incident occurred on 02/28/2016 on the Savannah River near River Street. In Operator1's statement he wrote: We were riding parallel with each other approx 20 Ft apart with Operator2 approx 30 ft ahead of me. Operator2 made a sharp left turn and stopped in my path resulting in a "t-bone" collision. 

Operator1 gave me the name and contact information of the other jet ski that was involved in the incident. Operator1 said he estimated the damage to his own jet ski (V01) the Sea Doo to be about $100.00. The other jet ski (V02) belonged to Operator2. 

After I left Operator1's residence I called Operator2. Operator2 said he would meet me the next day (3/5/16) at the Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery so I could get his information and a statement. Operator2 said his jet ski was at Yamaha on Abercorn to get an estimate of the damage.

3/5/16- I met Operator2 at the Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery. Operator2 said no one was seriously injured. Operator2 wrote a statement of what occurred. In Operator2's statement he wrote: On Sunday Feb 29 at around 3PM I had a collision with another PWC. When I was idling talking to another PWC rider in the Savannah River in front of the River St. I look to the side and saw the sea doo coming at me, I attempt to jump and he hit me from the side destroyed my waverunner. Luckily no one got injured. Nothing Follows. 

I told Operator2 I would be in contact with him once I got an estimate on the damage.

Operator2 said that the adjuster said it was totaled and would cost $12,000.00 to replace. I told Operator2 I would have my report done in the next few days and that if he needed it he could contact the office and once it was reviewed either they would send him a copy of it or they may just tell me to send him a copy of it.


BARDID: GA-2016-0097
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 14, 2016 at approximately 0225 hours I, Cpl. was contacted by Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Dispatch in reference to a boating incident with injuries in Bald Ridge Creek.  I was informed that a female subject had been struck by the prop when she fell off the front of the pontoon boat she was on.  The information I received was that the female fell off the front as the pontoon boat changed speed as it approached the no wake zone at Bald Ridge Marina.  I spoke with a Forsyth County Deputy who arrived on scene and provided me with the victim, operator and vessel information.  He stated everyone was leaving the scene.  Do to the extended response time I did not respond to the scene.  

On August 15, 2016 RFC made contact with the victim at the hospital.  RFC made contact with the victim and she made a verbal statement.  She stated that she simply fell of the pontoon boat and that it was her fault.  She declined to write a written statement.


BARDID: GA-2016-0099
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: FLOWERY BRANCH
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject was headed into Holiday Marina and ran aground. Then he beached the vessel on shore. The Hall County Sheriffs Office and Fire Department responded to the area and placed the three people on the vessel on a fire vessel. No one was hurt. The vessel was damaged around the props and prop shafts.  *** Vessel damage estimate from owner 25,000.


BARDID: GA-2016-0100
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE RABUN
NearestCityorTown: TALLULAH FALLS
County: RABUN
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday July 3rd, Deputy and I were leading boat traffic with the patrol boat at a slow speed following the annual fireworks show on Lake Rabun when we received a call that a boat was sinking in the Big Basin.  We proceeded from our location in the Narrows along with RFC and Deputy, who were in another patrol boat, to the Big Basin approximately two miles away.  

When we arrived on scene, the sinking vessel was already submerged except for the bow area which was still above the waterline.  Its occupants had already been pulled from the water and were on board the Rabun County Fire / Rescue Cobia.  

I asked if everyone was accounted for and if there were any injuries.  Each member of the group stated that they were not hurt and the owner stated that everyone was present.  

RFC and I began off loading some of the victims onto the patrol boats.  We transported these individuals to the sunken vessel's boat house which was approximately a half mile away.  We returned to collect floating items from the vessel such as seat cushions, unused life jackets and small personal items.  

We next assisted the large fire boat, which had arrived on scene, with tying the sunken vessel to it in an attempt to move it to the nearest shore.  While this was taking place, I asked the vessel owner/ operator to step into my vessel so I could get his statement and collect his information.  

He identified himself and his account of the event is as follows:  Operator stated that he had eleven occupants on board his vessel and was coming home from the fireworks show when a "wake boat" passed in front of his vessel at about half throttle creating a large wake.  He further stated that the wake created by this boat came over the bow of his boat causing the floor to fill with water.  

He said that he immediately moved two of the passengers from the bow area to the back of the boat.  Operator next stated that the rear of the vessel lowered to the level of the water and began to fill up and sink.  According to Operator, he immediately began handing out life jackets to those who did not already have one, the vessel then sank and all occupants went into the water.  

The rescue Cobia was on scene in less than five minutes and everyone was removed from the water.  Operator's boat, a 20 foot 8 inch Centurion ski inboard was moved closer to shore by the fire boat before it completely submerged below the waterline and sank to the bottom of the lake in 45 feet of water.  After it was on the bottom, the fire boat was unable to move it any further.  I made the decision at that point to attach the tow line to a series of buoys and leave it until an under water recovery effort could be made.  

I returned Operator and his wife to their dock and all units went back in service.  The following day I spoke to a boat mechanic on Lake Rabun, about raising the sunken vessel.  Mechanic stated that he had removed several vessels from similar situations over the years using air bags or large inner tubes.  I placed a call to Operator and advised him to contact Mechanic about possibly recovering his boat.  I spoke again to Mechanic on July 5th and he stated that he and Operator had made arrangements for a recovery attempt on July 8th. *** On July 8th, recovery service, was able to raise Operator's boat from the 45 feet of water it had sank in on July 3rd.  The recovery effort alone cost $3100.00 and damages to the vessel are pending. *** I spoke to Operator on August 3rd and he stated that his insurance company had totaled the vessel and sent him a check for $26,600.


BARDID: GA-2016-0104
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 3, 2016 at 11 o'clock I RFC was informed by GSP dispatch about a boating incident in Sardis Creek in Lake Lanier. While en route towards Sardis Creek Cpl was sent to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center where he spoke to the victim of the incident. I went to Sardis Creek where I interviewed the other occupants of the boat. A Lady stated that as they were headed north they suddenly beared to the right and went straight into the bank. I observed a large dent in the bow of the aluminum hulled boat that was in accordance to the witnesses statements. I documented with photographs and took a statement from the other occupants. 

Later I spoke with subject who had spoken with the operator of the vessel. In conclusion operator while traveling north up the Chattahoochee was inattentive to the direction he was heading and crashed his vessel into the shore. After the crash operator made his way back to Sardis Creek boat ramp where he took an ambulance to the hospital.


BARDID: GA-2016-0106
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:08:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: WEST POINT LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LAGRANGE
County: TROUP
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 27, 2016, I, Corporal, of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources,  responded to call from Troup County dispatch in reference to an overturned vessel at Highland Marina. 

I responded to Highland Marina ramp area and was able to make contact with subjects who were standing beside a maroon in color bass boat seated on a trailer. The boat appeared to be wet all over. 

Operator told me that while he was operating the vessel at idle speed within the idle speed only area of Highland Marina, the boat began taking on water to eventually become swamped and overturn. Operator stated that another vessel came over and retrieved them from the water and towed the swamped boat back to the ramp at Highland Marina. I asked Operator if he had struck anything with the vessel and he stated that he did not. 

Operator did not appear to be intoxicated. I asked if he had consumed any alcohol on that date he replied that he did not drink alcohol. I asked if they had any personal property damaged in the incident and he told me he lost a $800.00 pair of prescription glasses and a couple personal flotation devices valued at $15.00 each. 

Upon a close observation of the vessel I did not notice any fresh damage to hull of the vessel but did observe an small area on the Port side of the hull that had previous damage. 

The vessel was a 17' 8" Fantasy bass boat powered by a 150 horsepower Johnson brand outboard engine.

I made telephone contact with the original caller. Witness advised me that her husband and herself were near the dock at highland Marina and they observed the vessel operated by Operator begin to sink and capsize. Witness stated that her husband took their boat over and they pulled the occupants of the swamped vessel into their boat and then towed the swamped vessel to the ramp at Highland Marina. 

No further details at this time.


BARDID: GA-2016-0107
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA
NearestCityorTown: EMERSON
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 13, 2016, I, RFC with the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, received a call in regards to a boating incident on Allatoona Lake that occurred near the train trestle no wake zone at approximately 1915 hours.  I contacted the complainant about the incident.  

The complainant, operator1, advised that he was fishing with a buddy in a Triton bass boat in the no wake zone at the train trestle.  Operator1 advised that he began to operate his vessel with the trolling motor between the trestle pylon and the rock bank when a PWC came up behind him above idle speed and struck the stern of his vessel (see witness statement and drawing in attachments).  Operator1 advised that the PWC left a large gash in the fiberglass of his vessel at the port stern location.

Operator1 advised that after he realized what had happened, he turned around to see the PWC that struck his vessel.  Operator1 advised that the PWC did not stop, but continued north on the lake towards Bethany Bridge.  Operator1 advised that the only description he could get of the operator or PWC was a white male wearing a blue or purple PFD and a white color to the stern of the PWC.  Operator1 could not give me any more information regarding the PWC that left the scene.  Operator1 or occupant were not injured in the incident.

I met with Operator1 and his father, the owner of the vessel.  The current vessel registration number is GA 6434 BJ.  Operator1 advised that the damage to his vessel would cost approximately $2000.  I advised Operator1 that there was nothing to go on at this time with the least amount of information that he could provide.  I advised that we would be on the lookout to see or hear if anyone talks about this incident to provide more information to continue the investigation.


BARDID: GA-2016-0108
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:04:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA
NearestCityorTown: CANTON
County: CHEROKEE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 22, 2016, Sgt. and I, RFC with the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, were dispatched to a boating incident on Allatoona Lake at Field's Landing.  The incident involved a PWC (personal watercraft) and a pontoon vessel.  We were advised no injuries were sustained from the incident.  Once we arrived on scene, Sgt. and I began the investigation of the incident.

I first met with the owner/operator of the pontoon vessel.  Operator1 advised that he had his pontoon vessel tied up to the courtesy dock at Field's Landing.  While he was going to his vehicle, a black and green PWC was also next to the courtesy dock.  

Operator1 advised that when Operator2 undocked from the courtesy dock and began under power on the PWC, that Operator2 struck his pontoon in the stern of the vessel.  The force from the collision made the pontoon vessel swing out away from the courtesy dock.  Operator1 advised that Operator2 continued out into Allatoona Lake but did return to the courtesy dock.  The most damage that the pontoon sustained from the collision was to the outboard motor and the location where it attached to the transom.  Operator1 gave an estimate of $2000 worth of damage because of the uncertain amount of damage that may have been caused to the motor.

I then met with Operator2.  Operator2 advised that when he undocked from the courtesy dock and started the PWC, the PWC went forward under power.  Operator2 advised that the PWC powered forward faster that he thought was going to happen and collided with the stern of the pontoon vessel.  Operator2 advised that he went out a little ways on to Allatoona Lake and then turned around to try and find the owner of the pontoon vessel.  The PWC sustained minor damage to the starboard bow portion of the black rub rail.  The PWC was not owned by Operator2.  The PWC owner was on scene at the time.  Owner2 advised that the estimated amount of damage to the PWC was $500.  Operator2's statement regarding the incident is under attachments.

Operator1 has Progressive insurance on his vessel.  Owner2 advised at the time of investigation that he had insurance on his PWC.  Owner2 contacted me the next day to advise that he does not have insurance on the PWC.  He advised there was some kind of misunderstanding between him and the Kawasaki dealership about coverage on the PWC.  No injuries were sustained from the incident.


BARDID: GA-2016-0109
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:47:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: EMERSON
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 19, 2016, Sgt. And I with the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, responded to a boating incident on Allatoona Lake near Iron Hill area of Red Top Mountain State Park.  The boating incident involved a personal watercraft (PWC) striking a pontoon vessel while it was anchored.  Sgt and I began gathering information from both parties involved once arriving on scene.  No injuries were reported with this incident.

The Kawasaki PWC operator was sitting alongside another PWC in the cove near Iron Hill on Allatoona Lake.  Operator1's PWC and the one alongside him were tied together with rope that was located around the steering column of each PWC.  Operator1 started drifting towards the pontoon vessel that was anchored out in the same location.  

As Operator1 started his engine on his PWC, the rope around the steering column got tight around the throttle.  This action made the PWC move forward and strike the pontoon vessel on the front starboard side.  The damage on the pontoon vessel was located on the starboard side pontoon.  The estimated amount of damage sustained from the incident on the pontoon vessel was $3,500.00.  The pontoon owner was on the pontoon vessel with several other family members and friends.  No one was injured.

Operator1's PWC also sustained damage from the incident.  The steering column on the PWC broke.  Operator1 attempted to cut the PWC off when it was striking the pontoon vessel but could not get it to turn off.  Operator1 advised that he had to unplug a wire to get the PWC to turn off.  Operator1 advised an estimate of $2,500.00 worth of damage sustained to his PWC.  Operator1 advised that he has insurance with All State.  No charges were made in this incident.


BARDID: GA-2016-0110
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: EMERSON
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 19, 2016, Sgt. and I, RFC with the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, responded by vessel to the area of Bethany Bridge on Allatoona Lake in regards to a boating incident with injuries.  Information gathered while en route was that two personal watercrafts (PWC) had collided and injuries were sustained from the incident.  Cpl. and RFC also responded to the area by vessel.

As Sgt. and I arrived on scene at 1625 hrs, we observed one of the PWC involved at the courtesy dock at Bethany Bridge Boat Ramp.  The operator of that PWC was laying on the courtesy dock with the appearance of severe neck and back injuries.  Bartow County EMS and Fire was already en route to the scene.  As Cpl. and RFC arrived on scene, I directed them to the other PWC involved that was involved.  That PWC was located out towards the middle of the lake in front of the Bethany Boat Ramp.

Sgt. and I gathered information from the injured operator and others that were at the courtesy dock location.  Operator1 and the occupant, a 12 year old black male juvenile, advised that they were idling in the area north of the boat ramp when they were struck by another PWC.  Operator1's PWC sustained minimal damage on the forward starboard side.  There was some visible damage and transfer on the hull of the PWC also.  Operator1 and occupant were ejected from their PWC upon impact with PWC2.  V1 occupant did not sustain any injuries.

Operator2's PWC sustained minimal damage on the rear port side.  The damage can be described with minimal transfer with 3 small stress fractures in the fiberglass of his Sea Doo PWC.  Operator2 had an occupant on his PWC at the time of the incident.  Operator2 advised that he was operating his PWC in the direction away from the Red Top Mountain State Park Beach area.  While traveling out into the main lake channel is when the contact with Operator1's PWC was made.  There were no injuries on v2. Operator2 did not have registration for his PWC and was issued a citation for the violation.

In the attachments section of the report, is two other witness statements from witnesses that were in the area at the time of the incident.


BARDID: GA-2016-0111
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:52:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: EMERSON
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Congested waters
AccidentCause3: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 3, 2016, officers with the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, were on vessel patrol on Allatoona Lake near the Allatoona Yacht Club.  That evening at dark, the Allatoona Yacht Club was displaying their 4th of July fireworks show.  After the fireworks were completed, I was contacted by GSP dispatch at approximately 2157 hours in regards to a boating incident in the area of the Allatoona Yacht Club.  The preliminary information I received was that a boat was swamped and sank under the water.  The occupants of the vessel were able to board onto a houseboat that was in the area.  

At 2207 hours, officers, and I located the houseboat in the mouth of Stamp Creek.  Upon boarding the houseboat to locate the boating incident victims.  I went to the front of the houseboat and met with the three occupants of the vessel that sank.  The three occupants consisted of two white males and one white female.  

The three occupants advised that they were attempting to leave the area after the fireworks were completed when a large wave swamped over into their vessel, a silver in color Mumba ski boat.  The operator advised that they were idling in the direction towards the Blockhouse Boat Ramp when the wave came into the vessel, cutting all power off to the vessel (see witness statement).  Operator advised that he attempted to start the vessel again to try and move out of the way, however, the vessel did not have any power. Operator then advised that the vessel started to sink and all three occupants exited the vessel.  Operator advised that he tried to swim down with the vessel to try and get some personal belongings, but was unable to do so.  At that time, a houseboat was nearby and aided in getting the three occupants out of the water to safety.

Upon interviewing the victims, RFC and I got Operator and the other white male to complete witness statements in regards to the incident.  All three occupants, advised that Operator was in the operator's position during the whole incident.  I asked Operator how much alcohol that he has had to drink.  Operator replied, "like four beers in eight hours."  I asked Operator to put on a life jacket and step into the patrol vessel for me to determine if it was safe for him to operate the vessel.  Operator agreed.  I then completed the BUI Screening Form on Operator.  From my observations, I found Operator to be to the point of intoxication.  Operator was arrested at that time for operating vessel under the influence.  Operator was transported to the Bartow County Jail for booking and processing.  The other two occupants were transported to the Blockhouse Boat Ramp.


BARDID: GA-2016-0112
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: EMERSON
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 4, 2016, I, RFC with the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, responded to Allatoona Lake at Allatoona Landing Marina reference a possible boating incident.  Once on scene, I met with the two vessel owners of the incident.  

The at fault owner/operator was undocking from the gas dock at Alllatoona Landing in his white houseboat, vessel 1,  when he struck another vessel, vessel 2, docked at a slip behind the gas dock.  The owner of vessel 2 was not occupying his vessel at the time of the incident.  Owner2 was up off the dock when it occurred, but did see the incident happen.

I interviewed both parties and they both came to an agreement of how the incident occurred.  Operator1 advised that he was at fault.  Operator1 advised that when he was undocking, the wind was blowing and blew his houseboat in to Owner2's vessel striking the bow.  The railing on the stern of vessel 1 struck the bow of vessel 2 causing slight damage and breaking the bow light.  Owner2 advised that the damage should not cost more than $200-$300 dollars.  

Operator1's vessel had very minimal damage to the railing.  Both parties agreed to not have a boating incident complete at that time due to no injuries and slight damage being done.  Operator1 advised that he would pay for the damage to Owner2's vessel since he was the at fault operator.  I advised both parties to contact me if the incident turned out to be more than it first appeared.

On September 20, 2016, Owner2 contacted me and advised that the damage to his vessel was over $2000.  Owner2 had an insurance adjuster make a claim on the damage and it totaled over $2000.  I advised Owner2 that I would be completing a boating incident report from the incident now that the damage totaled over $2000.

Operator1 contacted me and advised that he sent insurance information over to Owner2 so that the incident would be covered.


BARDID: GA-2016-0114
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:56:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BLUE RIDGE LAKE
NearestCityorTown: BLUE RIDGE
County: FANNIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 6, 2016 at around 15:45 hours, I (RFC with DNR - L.E.) came to the Blue Ridge Marina to launch the DNR patrol vessel when I noticed an ambulance and several emergency personal on the gas dock. I stopped to investigate and learned that VICTIM had injured his right leg while attempting to wake board. 

Fannin EMS transported Victim to the Fannin Regional Hospital. I spoke with the owner and operator of the vessel used in the incident. (VESSEL (V01: MALIBU / 2001 / 21 F / BLACK / SC5382BM ) 

Operator is also the Brother-in-Law of the victim. Operator advised that victim was learning to wake board while (Victim's wife), Operator's three juvenile children, and himself were in the vessel. Operator and the three juveniles described the incident to me. 

They advised that Victim was holding on to the ski rope as the vessel accelerated. Victim was still low in the water and pushing a lot of water with the wake board instead of standing up on top of the water. Victim appeared to start to twist the board to help stand up on top of the water and then he let go of the rope and went down into the water. 

As the boat came around to try again, they noticed Victim was in pain and they got him into the boat. They called Fannin County Dispatch and transported Victim to the gas dock at the marina. Later on, wife corroborated the story of Operator. Wife stated that Fannin Regional Hospital had advised that Victim's right femur had been fractured and they were transporting him to Marietta for further treatment. No violations were observed. End of report.


BARDID: GA-2016-0115
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:45:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 12, 2016 at approximately 1930 hours I, Ranger First Class (RFC)  with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources-Law Enforcement Division (GA DNR-LED) was contacted by Lieutenant (LT)  about a fatal boat incident on Lake Lanier.  LT assigned me as the Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (CIRT) case agent for the incident and told me that there was not any need to respond to the scene that evening.  LT told me that the incident had occurred in Forsyth County and that Sergeant (SGT) was on the scene with several other officers gathering information.  I contacted SGT and spoke briefly with him about the incident.  SGT and I arranged to meet the following morning so that he could give me the witness statements he had obtained.  (Witness statements and the supplemental reports of the assisting officers are attached to this report.)

	On June 13, 2016 I met with SGT near his residence.  SGT gave me the information that he had obtained from the previous evening.  SGT had arranged for RFC to meet with me to go and interview the occupants from the boat incident.  I met RFC at the state patrol post in Forsyth County.  Based on the information that was obtained from the previous night we went to the home of the boat operator.  There we were able to interview and obtain written statements from passengers on the boat when the incident occurred.  Their statements had to be translated from Hebrew to English;  Subject is not a certified translator.  Operator, we discovered, is the ex-wife of the victim.  Operator was in extreme emotional distress and was not able to provide us with a statement.  We were told that Victim was here from Maryland visiting Operator and their children.  Operator was in the process of getting things together to travel back to Israel for Victim's funeral.

	On June 14, 2016 I went to the GA DNR impound lot at Aqua Land Marina to photograph and process the  boat.  I had been told by SGT that the throttle position and motor trim had been altered from their position when the boat was seized.  This was necessary to load the boat onto the trailer for storage.  I obtained the boat information and went to the Hall County Magistrate's Office to get the search warrant. Once I obtained the warrant, I went back to process the boat but could not due to stormy weather.  I did take 3 pair of sunglasses and a watch from the boat and kept them in my truck as they were the only items of value in the boat.  I also looked over the outside of the boat, especially around the propeller for any perishable evidence but did not locate any.

	I was unable to return to photograph the boat until June 21, 2016.  That morning I met RFCs at the impound lot.  Both Rangers turned over information to me that that they had obtained from their involvement in the initial response to the incident.  RFC assisted me with photographing, processing, and documenting evidence on Victim's boat.  I finished by placing a copy of the search warrant in the glove box of the boat.  Later that afternoon I completed the return of service on the warrant at the Hall County Magistrate's Office.

	In review of all the evidence that has been available to me or discovered throughout the course of the investigation, I concluded that Operator ran over Victim due to operator inexperience.  According to statements the friends had been out on the lake tubing. Operator was towing Victim on the tube in circles creating a large wake.  There had also been large wakes created by passing boats in the area according to the written statements.  Witness were sitting on the beach near the area where the incident had occurred. Victim had been either thrown or fallen off of the tube and Operator was pulling back up to pick him up; he would have been on the starboard side as Operator approached. 

Two subjects had also said that when Operator was approaching Victim the boat was riding with the bow up or plowing. This would greatly reduce Operator's visibility as she approached Victim. As Operator was approaching, Subject1 sitting directly behind Operator, yelled to get her attention as to how close she was to Victim. The photographic evidence of the boat only shows minor damage done to the propeller. I do not know if all the damage was caused from Victim's contact with the propeller or not. There appeared to be some biological matter, possibly tissue, embedded in the edges of the propeller. (See photographs 219-239) There was no sample taken or needed as it can be expected that the biological matter is from Victim. The only evidence of significance that RFC and I noticed was on the bottom of the boat hull. There is evidence of finger and hand marks on the bottom of the hull. These marks, similar to that when you run your hand across a dirty car hood for example, begin on the starboard side of the boat approximately 6 feet 6 inches from the bow. We tried to the best of our ability to photograph and document these transfers on the bottom of the hull. We did mark the direction that Victim would have traveled under the boat from the starboard side to the port side. These were the defensive actions that Victim was trying to take to get out from under the boat. There was a larger clean/marked area under the boat that appeared to be turning in a counter clockwise or left direction. This is likely to have been caused from when operator reacted to Subject1 yelling at her as she was too close to Victim. (See photographs 279-295) Based on these discoveries it appears that Victim could see that Operator was going to run over him and tried to get out of the way. As he went under the starboard side of the boat, feet first, he was pushing with his hands trying to get the boat off of him. Something, whether it was Subject1 yelling at Operator or the wake of the passing boats, caused the boat to turn left. This left turn, in an attempt to not run over Victim, would have put Victim in the direct path of the propeller. In viewing the photos of RFC Goss, the majority of Victim's trauma came about mid abdomen and up to the head. Victim suffered a severe laceration to left side of his neck and jaw area extending to behind his left ear. There is also a severe laceration to his scalp; his left arm, at the elbow, was nearly severed.

Two subjects said that they felt Victim go under the boat. After the incident, Subject2 jumped into the water to try and save Victim. Everyone began screaming for help. Good samaritan was on the beach nearby and went out in his jon boat to help. Good samaritan said that he helped pull a male that had been hit by a boat into his boat. Good samaritan said that he left the guy in the water, Subject2, with multiple life jackets. Good samaritan said he headed back to Little Ridge Park with the victim and met the responding emergency personnel. Due to the severity of the trauma that Victim suffered it appears that there is nothing that could have been done to save his life. Subject3 said in her statement that she, "watched Good samaritan pull a limp body in his jon boat." By the time that RFC and others arrived on scene, Fire and Rescue personnel had already determined that Victim was deceased. The coroner was called a short time later.

On July 30, 2016 I sat down and spoke with subjects about the incident. They both said that Victim was on the right side, starboard, of the boat as Operator was approaching him. I gave the sunglasses and watch that I retrieved from the boat to subject2; a pair of sunglasses and the watch belonged to Victim. I had spoken with Subject1 earlier about having Operator contact me to provide a written statement or conducting a recorded interview. Subject1 told me that Operator had left and been in Israel since Victim's funeral and had no intentions of coming back to the United States. On August 5, 2016 I received a call from Operator but was unable to talk to her at that time. Operator said that she was willing to recount the events from that day and we agreed to talk by phone on August 6, 2016. I tried to contact Operator several times on that day with no success.

All the information contained in the above report is based solely on evidence found or made known to the reporting officer. It is also based on the written and/or recorded statements of witnesses and officers on the scene of the incident. The Good samaritans and subject4 were not included as witnesses in this report but their statement were included as to their involvement
rendering aid and assistance during this matter and to account for events that may have contributed to this incident. This report can and will be supplemented if any additional information is made known or discovered by the reporting officer. At this time there is nothing further to report.


BARDID: GA-2016-0116
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:37:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WOODSTOCK
County: CHEROKEE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
At the above date and time I, Ranger First Class (RFC) with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources-Law Enforcement Division (GA DNR-LED), responded to a boat incident on Allatoona Lake with Corporal (CPL).  CPL and I responded by boat to the boat ramp at Victoria Landing and arrived on scene at approximately 1631 hours.  As we approached to courtesy dock we did observe a helicopter about to leave the parking lot with the victim.  CPL and I met with officers from Cherokee County Fire/EMS and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and obtain initial response information.  At this time we were also able to meet with the operator of the boat.

	Operator told us that she and Subject had just put the boat in at Little River boat ramp.  Operator told us that earlier in the day Subject had put a new propeller on the boat and had been working on the throttle.  She said that they were heading in the direction of Victoria Landing, traveling in a southerly direction.  Operator said that she was driving the boat and Subject was sitting in the seat at the bow on the port side.  Operator said that she was on her side of the lake (the right side) and that there were several boats in the area traveling in the opposite direction.  She said that there was a large wake that pushed the boat closer to the bank and it caused her to fall from the operator's position.  She did say that while she was operating the boat she stood up because she could not see over the windshield.  She said that the boat went to the right and hit the bank.  Operator said that when the boat hit the bank Subject was thrown out and landed up on the shore line possibly hitting a tree.   	

	I spoke with Operator about the incident in the parking lot.  It was very apparent to me, as can be seen in the body camera video, that Operator was very upset about the incident.  As I spoke with Operator, I did not detect any signs of impairment nor did I detect any odor of alcohol coming from her.  I tried to check her eyes for Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) but she was having trouble focusing on the stimulus due to the events that she had just been through.  I tried to comfort Operator in an attempt to calm her down while she tried to tell us what had happened on the lake.  I asked Operator if she would give me a sample of her blood to make sure that she was not under the influence.  I told Operator that the blood draw would be part of our department conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.  Operator said that she would and her blood was drawn in the back of the ambulance at the boat ramp.  She said that she wanted to make sure that the family understood that she was not trying to hurt Subject and that she had nothing to hide.  Operator then contacted some of her friends to pick her up at the Little River boat ramp to take her to the hospital.

	CPL and I told Operator that we would take her to the boat, still on the bank at the S-Curves, to get her personable belongings and valuables left on the boat.  Operator told us that we could go into the boat to get the items and told us items would be on the boat.  CPL and I got to the boat and tied up to the bank near Subject's boat; we left Operator in our patrol boat just a short distance away.  CPL and I looked at the scene and could tell that the boat was damaged on the starboard side bow and the keel.  We were also able to find the area where emergency personnel worked on Subject at the scene.  I got into Subject's boat and checked for the items that Operator had told us about.   

	I observed some discarded medical supplies in the bow of the boat.  I looked in the storage compartment under the seat at the starboard bow and noticed a fracture in the fiberglass.  I then checked the operator's position and did not notice anything unusual about the steering wheel or the instrument panel; the throttle was in the neutral position.  I went over to the port…


BARDID: GA-2016-0117
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WOODSTOCK
County: CHEROKEE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Drug
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
At the above date and time I, Ranger First Class (RFC) with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources-Law Enforcement Division (GA DNR-LED) received a call about a possible boat incident at Victoria Marina.  I called Victoria Harbour Marina, and she explained to me that a customer noticed some damage to his boat and that the boat had not been taken out in several weeks.  Marina representative explained to me that the boat owner, had come to take out the boat and one of the dock workers informed him that the propeller was damaged.  Owner, nor any one with permission to take out the boat, was aware of the damage; that is when they called to report the incident.  It was also discovered that there was an unknown cell phone, socks, knife, and sunglasses found on the boat.

	SGT and I went to the marina.  When we arrived on scene one of the dock workers showed us Owner's boat.  The brass propeller was very damaged and I noticed that there was some damage to the fiberglass under the boat where the drive shaft comes out from the engine compartment.  We were also given the cell phone and other items; the cell phone would not turn on.  We also learned that earlier one of the employees at Sunset Grille had noticed that Marina representative had his phone and he was seen trying to get his phone back.  SGT and I found out that Subject was still at work and decided to interview him about his knowledge of the incident.

	We spoke to Subject in the marina office.  At first he was not completely truthful about the incident but later admitted to his involvement with Owner's boat.  Subject told us that he and another employee, were out on the dock smoking marijuana on or near July 5, 2016.  Subject said that he noticed the boat, with the keys in the ignition, tied up to the dock.  He said that he thought he would try and start the boat with Employee2 joining him.  According to Subject, Employee2 said that they probably should not do it, but they untied the boat and went out onto the lake.  They rode around for a while and somewhere Subject ran into a rock, which caused damage to the propeller.  They brought the boat back and left.

	I told Subject that I appreciated his honesty about the incident and told him that I would pass that information on to the boat owner.  I called Owner and later spoke to his wife.  She told me that they did not want to prosecute Subject for the theft but that he would be responsible for the repairs.  They believed in giving him a chance to make the incident right without Subject have a serious charge on him at a young age.  I gave the Owner's the case number and the office number so that they could have a copy of the report for their purposes.  Subject was charged with operating a boat without proper identification, not having completed a boat safety course before operating a boat.  

	I contacted Employee2 on August 16, 2016 and spoke to him about the incident.  All he said was that he was sorry.  I told him that he would be listed on the report as an occupant.  I also told him that should he receive a subpoena in the mail he should not disregard it and appear in court if necessary.

	There is nothing further to report.


BARDID: GA-2016-0118
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WOODSTOCK
County: CHEROKEE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
At the above date and time SGT and I responded to a boat incident on Allatoona Lake at Victoria Landing.  We arrived on scene and met with operator.  Operator told us that he and his family were out on the lake tubing just north of Victoria Landing.  Operator said that he was towing the children on the tube and turned in a counter clockwise direction.  


BARDID: GA-2016-0129
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:06:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA
NearestCityorTown: CARTERSVILLE
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
I, Officer with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division was dispatched to a vessel incident  on 5/8/16.  Upon my arrival I met with the listed vessel operators.

the operator of vessel 1 stated he was traveling North on Allatoona Lake when he noticed vessel 2 coming straight at him. operator of vessel 2 stated she was traveling south on Allatoona Lake when she noticed vessel 1 coming straight at her.  

Both vessel operators stated they were traveling down the middle of the lake.  Both vessel operators stated they turned right just prior to collision.  

Operator1 stated when he noticed he was going to collide with vessel 2 he turned back left to attempt to avoid the collision.  The front of vessel 1 struck the rear of vessel 2.


BARDID: GA-2016-0130
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:35:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA
NearestCityorTown: WOODSTOCK
County: CHEROKEE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
I, Officer with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division was notified of a boat incident with injuries at approximately 7:50 pm. I responded by vehicle and my back up unit RFC. responded by boat.  Upon my arrival I met with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Deputies on scene.  The Deputies pointed out the operator of the Jet Ski. 

Operator1 stated he was operating the jet ski and that he was approaching Victoria Marina.  Operator1 stated he noticed a boat come to a stop in front of him and that he was attempting to go in between the boat and the wave break. Operator1 stated the wake from the boat made him lose control causing the front of the Jet Ski to strike the left rear (port side) of the Yamaha boat. While interviewing Operator1 I saw no signs of impairment and I asked Operator1 if he would blow into the Alco-sensor.  Operator1 stated yes and the negative result (0.00) for alcohol confirmed my observations that Operator1 had no alcohol in his system. 

The occupants on Operator1's vessel confirmed the story and completed witness statements.  V1 occupant1 had a laceration to her right arm but refused any medical treatment from Cherokee Fire and EMS that were on scene.    

Once RFC. was on scene he proceeded to interview the driver of vessel 2.  While speaking to RFC. about what had occurred he stated that the operator of vessel 2 had been consuming alcoholic beverages prior to the incident but that Operator2 was not at the level of impairment to be charged with boating under the influence. RFC. stated all the occupants in vessel 2 along with Operator2 confirmed Operator1's story.  All occupants of vessel 2 were on scene and completed witness statements.  RFC. stated occupants had taken another occupant home due to her being a young child.  

Due to the damage of the vessels matching the statements from everyone involved Operator1 was issued a citation for Violation of Rules of the Road. 

The listed owner of the Jet Ski, was on scene and was aware of the situation.  He was able to provide me with the insurance information on the Jet Ski.


BARDID: GA-2016-0131
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:38:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA
NearestCityorTown: ACWORTH
County: COBB
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
I, Officer received a call from GSP Dispatch that there was a boating incident in Cobb County and that a victim with a possible broken leg was being taken to Dallas Beach to meet with Cobb County Fire and Rescue.  They also notified me that RFCs was in route by boat.  Upon my arrival at Dallas Beach, Puckett EMS had already transported the victim to Kennestone Hospital.  RFCs had not made it to the scene yet by boat so I discontinued them.  I then went in route to Kennestone Hospital to meet with the victim.  

Upon my arrival at the hospital I was met by RFC. who was in the area.  We entered the hospital and met with the listed victim, who was the operator of vessel number 2.  Operator2 stated her sister  (operator of vessel 1), and her were on Allatoona Lake riding personnel water crafts.  

Operator2 stated she had gotten off her personnel watercraft to swim and then got back on vessel 2, when Operator1 was driving vessel 1 towards her.  Operator2 stated Operator1 did not change directions and ran the front of vessel 1 into her left leg and across vessel 2. Operator2 stated she thought her leg was broken and called for medical attention.  

While speaking to Operator2, Operator1 came to the hospital to check on her.  I asked Operator1 if she would also tell me what happened.  Operator1 stated she was riding vessel 1 and was trying to get closed to Operator2 when she lost control and could not steer the vessel into another direction.  She stated the front of vessel 1 ran into the port (left) side of vessel 2.

Operator1 was charged with Operating a Jet Ski above 5 mph within 100' of an object.


BARDID: GA-2016-1000
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-30 00:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Unknown Pond
County: Toombs
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
According to news articles, a vessel carrying two people onboard took on water and capsized.  One person was able to swim to shore but the other reportedly drowned.


BARDID: GA-2016-1001
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Allatoona
NearestCityorTown: Payne
County: Cherokee
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
According to news media articles, a woman's body was recovered apart from the PWC she was reportedly riding.  She had been reported overdue from a boating trip.  She left a ramp around 10am and had not returned by the reported 1pm time.  Her vessel was found floating, unattended, with a life jacket on top and her body was recovered the following day.  It is assumed that she departed the vessel for a swim, and then was unable to return to it.


BARDID: GA-2016-1002
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-09-07 00:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Lanier
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
According to news media reports, a male is missing from a boating outting on Lake Lanier.  His kayak was found unattended.  It is assumed he fell overboard and passed away.  His life jacket hasn't been found, but some personal effects (including a duffle bag with car keys) have been located.


BARDID: GA-2016-1003
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-12 00:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Lanier
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
According to news media reports, a male went missing in Lake Lanier.  He had been out on a pontoon boat when he decided to jump off the boat to swim.  He went under.  He is presumed deceased.


BARDID: GA-2016-1004
State: GA
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2016-08-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Hartwell
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Unknown
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Failure to vent
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
According to news media reports, a vessel carrying five people onboard erupting in flames due to the operator's failure to ventilate after fueling.  Five people suffered burns, and the vessel was deemed a total loss.


BARDID: GA-2016-1005
State: GA
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2016-08-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 00:05:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Ocheegee River
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
According to a report from the Coast Guard, a family of three were grounded and required rescue.  Their vessel was considered a loss, valued at nearly $5k.


BARDID: GA-2016-1006
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilmington River
NearestCityorTown: Thunderbolt
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Shift
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
A yacht hit the walkway of the dock and another vessel due to shift failure.  The operator said he was forced to go towards the marina in order to avoid a smaller boat in the vicinity (v2). According to the operator, v2’s operator was distracted on the phone.  Operator1 attempted to sound his horn and tried to maneuver to avoid collision.  He found that his transmission cable on the starboard engine had come loose so he couldn’t go into reverse.  He ended up hitting the metal walkway from the land to the dock and scratched the port side near of the bow of v3.  Operator1 indicated he had over 10 years experience.


BARDID: GA-2016-1007
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:14:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Lanier
NearestCityorTown: Flowery Branch
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Cpl. indicated that he and his boat partner RFC had just preformed a vessel stop on a Personal Water Craft (PWC) when the wind picked up and caused his patrol vessel to strike another vessel that was being towed by TowBoat US.  One subject on the towed vessel stated that because the officer left their boat unattended, she put her arm out to try to push the boats apart in the impending collision, which caused her injury.  She stated that she and her passengers were calling out to them to get the officers attention before.


BARDID: GA-2016-1008
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Seminole/Flint River
NearestCityorTown: Bainbridge
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On Monday, 5-30-2016, Sgt. and I were conducting a vessel patrol on the Flint River in Decatur County. At approximately 1720 hours, Sgt. and I were notified by GSP dispatch of a boat incident that occurred on the Flint River at Reynold’s sandbar. 

Sgt. and I arrived at the incident location and made contact with subject who stated that a male subject operating a PWC ran into his vessel while it was anchored next to the sandbar. V1 owner stated that no one was on his vessel when it was hit by the PWC. He said he was not at the scene when the incident occurred, but he was notified by phone when his vessel was damaged. V1 owner’s vessel is a white and blue fiberglass Supra, with 130 horse power inboard/outboard motor. The registration numbers displayed on the vessel is GA6389EM.

While talking to V1 owner, I was contacted by the operator of the PWC. I interviewed Operator2 and asked how the incident occurred. Operator2 said he was headed south on the river, returning to the sandbar. He stated that as he turned towards the sandbar, he realized he was too close, but could not stop in time to avoid hitting the vessel. He stated that he tried to turn, and put the PWC in reverse, but he could not control it. The PWC struck V1 owner’s vessel on the port gunwale, approximately mid-way between the seating area and the bow. 

I asked him if he knew of any mechanical problem with the PWC, and he answered, “No, there were no problems.” Operator2 was operating a blue and white fiberglass SEADOO, PWC, with a registration number GA0369ZL. The PWC was not damaged in this incident and there were no injuries reported. It was determined during my investigation that Operator2 was operating the PWC above idle speed, near an anchored vessel. Operator2 was cited for OCGA 52-7-8, Operating PWC above Idle Speed within 100’ Of Object in the water


BARDID: GA-2017-0001
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-01-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:58:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CUMBERLAND RIVER
County: CAMDEN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On January 14th 2017 RFC received a call from Camden County Sheriff's Office stating that they received a complaint from someone at the Greyfield Dock on Cumberland Island stating that they can hear someone in the marsh yelling for help. They were unaware of why someone was yelling help. RFC and subject with Crooked River State Park responded to the area and first found Operator in the marsh. He was alone. He stated that 2 of his friends were further down the bank. Rfc was able to load Subject2 into his boat and continue down the bank looking for the other 2 victims. Rfc was able to hear the other 2 victims yelling for help further down the bank. Rfc continued to talk to the individuals until they were located. 

Rfc was able to maneuver his vessel and assist them into getting into his vessel. All subjects were extremely tired, cold, wet and covered in mud. Rfc was able to assess the subjects health. All subjects said that they were extremely cold with minor scratches from the oyster shells. Rfc asked the subjects if they knew where the vessel was but they were unsure due to the tidal current and the amount of time they had been stranded. The subjects stated that they had been stranded on the bank for approximately 2 hours. 

Subject3 stated that he was unsure why the vessel sank. He stated that the vessel started taking on water. He attempted to get the vessel on plane to allow the water to exit the vessel and when he did the stern of the vessel went under water and swamped the entire boat. All 3 subjects exited the vessel without life jackets and swam for the bank. Rfc quickly returned to Crooked River State Park where they parked their vehicle. All 3 subjects stated that they did not want medical attention. Rfc was met by Ranger at the boat ramp with blankets and towels where she transported all 3 subjects to the office to warm up. Rfc received all of their information for the report. 

On January 15th 2017 Rfc and RFC patrolled the area throughout the day in search for the vessel. The Rangers spoke with multiple subjects in the area to ensure they knew about the potential for the vessel to be submerged. No one had seen the vessel.

On January 15th 2017 Rfc spoke with Subject3 and subject4 to check on their status. All stated they were much better and feeling good. Subject3 stated that he did not have insurance on the vessel like he thought he had. He requested to be contacted if the vessel was found.


BARDID: GA-2017-0002
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-01-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 05:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE JULIETTE
NearestCityorTown: FORSYTH
County: MONROE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Saturday January 7, 2016 at approximately 0515 hours I received a call from Cpl. in reference to some stranded boaters on Lake Juliette. At approximately 0600 hours I met Cpl. at Plant Scherer on Lake Juliette. Cpl. and I launched his jet boat at the Plant Scherer boat ramp. We were able to get an exact location of the victims from Monroe County dispatch, which was in the area of the Juliette Dam. As Cpl. and myself arrived at the dam the boaters, along with Monroe County EMS, were standing on the shore line waiting to be transported to emergency vehicles. There were three subjects and one vessel involved in the incident. 

V01 was traveling Northeast on Lake Juliette in the area of the Juliette Dam. The operator of V01 stated the wind had picked up and the waves were getting rough. Operator stated he turned the vessel South towards the shoreline, and as the vessel turned, the waves came over the bow of the vessel swamping the vessel. Operator and two other occupants were able to hold on to the partially submerged vessel. One of the occupants was able to contact 911 via cell phone. DNR and Monroe County EMS arrived on scene at approximately 0645 and was able to get the operator and two occupants out of the water. Two of the subjects were able to get medical attention and released on scene. The other occupant was transported to Macon Medical Center and treated for hypothermia. There was no damage documented for V01.


BARDID: GA-2017-0003
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-02-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CLARKS HILL LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WASHINGTON
County: WILKES
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On Wednesday February 8, 2017, Operator came to the Region III office wanting to report a boating incident on Clark's Hill Lake. Operator stated he was on Clark's Hill Lake near the Raysville boat ramp traveling west when his vessel struck an object under the water causing damage to the transom of the vessel.   The vessel started to take on water and Operator was able to idle to a near by boat ramp before the vessel sank.  Operator was able to load the vessel on the trailer and transported the vessel to his residence.  Operator stated the incident occurred on February 6, 2017.  There were no other vessels involved in the incident and there were no injuries.

     I, Cpl., completed a boating incident report on February 8, 2017 for insurance purposes.


BARDID: GA-2017-0004
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-03-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ST. ANDREWS SOUND
County: CAMDEN
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
MachineryFailure: Steering
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 3/4/2017 at approximately 1125 hours, I, Corpora was dispatched with Ranger First Class (RFC) to a boating incident in St. Andrews Sound. RFC spoke with United States Coast Guard (USCG) en route to the scene.  USCG arrived on scene and recovered one male from sinking sailing vessel. 

USCG transported Subject to Jekyll Harbor Marina to meet with emergency medical services (EMS). RFC and I arrived at Jekyll Harbor Marina. RFC met with USCG officers. 

I met with and interviewed Subject after he was released by EMS. Subject was experiencing mild shock and hypothermia. Subject declined additional medical treatment. RFC and I gave Subject additional layers of clothing and sat down with him in the sun out of the wind. 

Subject told me he was moving the vessel from St. Mary's to Jekyll Island. While crossing St. Andrews Sound, his rudder broke and he lost steering control of the vessel. Subject was operating under power and had not deployed any sails. Subject told me the vessel drifted onto the breakers and became grounded on the shoals. Subject said the vessel sustained significant damage from wave action and began to take on water. 

When USCG arrived the entire cabin of the vessel was submerged. Subject swam to the USCG vessel. Subject told me the vessel and tender were insured by Boat US and he had a service policy with SeaTow. Subject told me he believed the vessel and tender were a total loss. 

RFC and I waited with Subject until his friends arrived. At approximately 1400 hours, RFC and I left the scene. At approximately 1630 hours, I spoke on the phone with Subject. He told me he had gotten dry clothes and was warm and had not experienced any additional medical complications. Subject told me he would contact me once arrangements had been made to secure, recover or salvage the vessels.


BARDID: GA-2017-0005
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-03-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ELBA ISLAND CUT
NearestCityorTown: SAVANNAH
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
Statement written by Sergeant based on what Operator told her over the phone. At approximately 1230 hours on March 14, 2017, Operator was headed North in the Wilmington River following the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW). Operator came to a fork in the river and looked at his chart which showed the ICW taking a left. (Operator later realized the chart showed ICW alternate to the left and the main ICW to the right). Operator was now in Elba Island Cut approaching the Elba Island Bridge. Operator stated that all fixed bridges on the ICW were 65' and he assumed this bridge was 65' and therefore his mast struck the Elba Island Bridge ripping off the mast and falling onto the bimini top. This in turn caused slight damage to the Elba Island Bridge.

On March 17, 2017, three people called to give me an estimate of the damage to the Elba Island Bridge. The navigation light had to be replaced, costing $3000.00.


BARDID: GA-2017-0006
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-03-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: OGEECHEE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: SAVANNAH
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On March 31, 2017, I, Game Warden, responded to a call from GSP dispatch at 17:08 hours stating that US Coast Guard had received a call about an overdue boat on the Canoochee River on Ft. Stewart Military Base. As I was about to get off the phone, dispatch advised me that Coast Guard said he may have went fishing at Rodney J Hall boat ramp or Adams boat ramp in Savannah. I told dispatch that I would call Coast Guard and speak with them directly. Coast Guard advised me that they were not sure where the individual had put in to go fishing at and the wife was going to go and look for his truck at the boat ramps. 

I called Wife and she told me her husband's name was Operator and his truck was a 2017 blue Nissan truck with Florida tags. Wife said she was going to go and look for his truck at the two boat ramps in Savannah, she was not sure if he was fishing on Fort Stewart or in Savannah. Wife said that he may be fishing in a pond on Fort Stewart as well.  I called Cpl., who works in Chatham, and advised him of the possibility of a missing boater in Savannah. I called Fort Stewart and let them know of the possible missing boater in either the ponds or on the Canoochee inside Fort Stewart. 

As I was in route to Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery to get our G3 boat to put in at King's Ferry Boat ramp to go up the Canoochee River I received a call from GSP dispatch. Dispatch advised that a Coast Guard helicopter was circling the overturned vessel in the Canoochee River about a mile north of the I-95 bridge.  Coast Guard said the captain was sitting on top of the overturned vessel and  appeared to be uninjured but they were unable to get to him. I advised dispatch that was in route to our boat and that I would be putting in at King's Ferry and going to their location.

When I arrived at King's Ferry, Chatham County Marine Patrol Officer was at the boat ramp. As we were launching the boat Sgt. arrived and assisted with launching the vessel. Sgt. said she would be on stand by at King's Ferry.  Myself and Cpl. went up the Ogeechee River and under the I-95 bridge. I could see the Coast Guard helicopter flying up the Ogeechee River, therefore, I continued up the Ogeechee and did not go up into the Canoochee River. About a half a mile past the I-95 bridge and at about 18:30 hours we located the overturned vessel. The captain was sitting on top of the vessel. Operator boarded our vessel and put on a PFD. Operator said he was uninjured and did not need any medical treatment.  We tied Operator's overturned vessel to a tree on the Chatham County side of the Ogeechee River and returned back to King's Ferry. Operator said he and a friend would recover the boat the following day. Operator said he was wearing an inflatable PFD when the incident occurred. Operator said he hit an underwater object and it flipped his vessel. Operator said the incident occurred at around 16:15-16:30 hours. 

4/2/17- I spoke with Operator and he advised that he recovered his vessel yesterday and it is at Hale Marine in Savannah for repairs. Operator said he was going to be out of town the following week and for me to speak with father concerning repairs to the vessel  and any other information I may need.

4/6/17- I called the father did not have an estimate from Hale Marine. He gave me the insurance policy number and registration information for the vessel. 

4/13/2017- I contacted  father and asked him if he had an estimate for the damage to the boat. Operator said he was about to stop by Hale Marine and would get back with me in a few minutes.  the estimate for the damage was $13,000.
 The underwater object struck by the vessel was not marked. The operator of the vessel stated that he either hit an alligator or a log with his vessel. The operator of the vessel was unfamiliar with that area of the river.


BARDID: GA-2017-0010
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ST MARY'S RIVER ENTRANCE
NearestCityorTown: ST MARYS
County: CAMDEN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Improper anchoring
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 4/22/2017, at approximately 0900 hours, I, Corporal responded to call regarding a boating incident in Camden County. I spoke with Nassau County Deputy, who told me he was towing a vessel and occupant back to boat ramp in Fernandina, FL. Deputy told me the vessel had stuck the rocks at the jetties approximately 300 yards East of the tip of Cumberland Island. 

Deputy told me the occupants of the vessel were not injured but the youths on board had gotten seasick. Deputy put the vessel owner/operator on the telephone. Operator told me their anchor had been dislodged and the wave action had pushed the vessel onto the rocks. Operator described damage to the fiberglass hull and lower unit of the outboard motor. Operator was unsure whether the damage was more than two thousand dollars. Operator told me he does not have insurance on the vessel. I obtained Operator's contact information and provided him with my contact information.


BARDID: GA-2017-0011
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with commercial vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On April 15, 2017 at approximately 1700 hours Vessel 1 was docking at the gas dock at Holiday Marina on Lake Lanier. The owner of Vessel 1 was attempting to secure his vessel to the dock. Before he could secure the bow of the vessel the wind caused the bow to float away from the dock and into the path of Vessel 2. Vessel 2 was being towed by Vessel 3. The collision caused damage to the bow rail on Vessel 1. Vessel 2 port side window was shattered and it also sustained a tear in the fabric top.


BARDID: GA-2017-0012
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-02-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On February 25th, at approximately, 1130 hours, I, Game Warden responded by patrol vehicle, to a boating incident that occurred in Forsyth County, GA on Lake Lanier, near West Bank Park.  The incident occurred at approximately 1125 hours, and involved a 14 foot Raddisson wide transom aluminum canoe, that capsized.  The approximate location on the water where the incident occurred was one-hundred yards north, of the northern bank of West Bank Park.  

On scene, I proceeded to interview the occupants of the canoe, witnesses, and various Forsyth County Public Safety Staff.  I determined that the canoe, powered by a thirty foot/pound thrust trolling motor, capsized due to improper shifting of weight by the two passengers on board.  A 54 year old white male subject, and a 14 year old white male juvenile subject, were on board when the incident occurred.  They both stated that they had been engaged in fishing activity, when too much weight in the canoe abruptly shifted to the port-side, which caused it roll, and capsize.  

Subject1 was seated in the back, and Subject2 was seated in the front.  Each subject stated that they swam to shore under their own power, after being ejected from the canoe.  Additionally, Subject1 stated that he had just purchased the canoe recently, and that this was the first occasion on the water.  

Subject1 was treated by Forsyth County EMS on scene for a cut to his left forearm, and Subject2 was transported to the Northside-Cumming Hospital with mild hypothermia symptoms.  Subject2 is expected to fully recover. 

***End of report***


BARDID: GA-2017-0013
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On April 1st 2017 at 1700, I RFC received a call from GSP Dispatch about a boating incident near sunset cove on Lake Lanier. GSP Dispatch told me that Hall County dispatch had called and relayed that a boat was spotted half sunk with no occupants seen in or around the boat. I responded by truck and while enroot I made contact with the Hall County Fire Boat "marine 1". Marine 1 was able to give me the registration number for the sunk vessel and I looked up the registered owner. The boat registration returned back to a 1991 Caravelle Classic. 

I called subject who told me that two men named Operator1 and Operator2 had been driving around the lake that afternoon with his boat, Subject also told me that Operator1 was driving his boat while Operator2 was driving a jet-ski. He told me he knew the boat had sank and that Operator2 was returning to the boat to retrieve a cell phone he had stored in the boat. I asked Subject if he knew where Operator1 could be found and he told me he was staying a Shady Grove Campground. I called Cpl. and RFC (who were also responding to the incident) to make their way by boat to the crash site and to talk to Operator2 and get a witness statement from him (see Supplemental reports). When I arrived at my boat in Aqualand I drove to Shady Grove Campground. 

When I arrived I was assisted by the park officer who drove me to the campground that Operator1 was staying. When we pulled up to the campsite I met Operator1 Operator1 who told me he was the driver of the Caravelle boat and that Operator2 had jumped a wake and landed on the back of the boat which caused the boat to sink. 

I also noticed a smell of alcohol coming from Operator1. Operator1 admitted to drinking and I asked him to accompany me back to my boat (see OPERATOR1 BUI report). I took Operator1 back to the crash site after arresting him and turned him over to Cpl.. I was informed that Operator2 who was driving a 2016 Yamaha Jet ski had been drinking and I began to investigate him for BUI as well.

	In conclusion On April 1st 2017 at approximately 1600, Operator1 was operating a 1991 Caravelle herby known as vessel 1 while intoxicated out of sunset cove when operator2 who was driving a 2016 Yamaha jet-ski herby known as vessel 2 and also intoxicated, illegally jumped a wake close to vessel 1. The force of the jump was strong enough to caused vessel 2 to land on the starboard side of the stern of vessel 1. With the added weight of vessel 2 to vessel 1, buoyancy was lost and water was able to come over the gunwales and fill the hull of vessel 1 causing it to sink. Due to air-pockets in the bow, vessel 1 was not a total loss and was able to remain near the surface. Tow Boat U.S.A. was able to salvage vessel 1 later that evening.  END OF REPORT


BARDID: GA-2017-0014
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-02-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:57:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WOODSTOCK
County: CHEROKEE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
V1 occupant told us they, Operator1 and himself, were going up the lake from Sweetwater Creek headed to Galt's Ferry to fish a few spots. V1 occupant said he saw the guy in the other boat headed in their direction. He said the other boat came from the area at marker 36E. V1 occupant said, "The other guy must have had a problem with his motor or a death wish." I asked him why he would say that and he replied, "Because he cut in front of operator."

I continued to talk to V1 occupant about the incident. He told me they were going about 2,000 to 2,500 RPM's as they were going to Galt's Ferry. He said he knew that 4,000 RPM's was about 38 MPH. I asked him about what side of the channel they were on as they rounded the corner from Sweetwater headed to the S-Curves. V1 occupant told me the corner from Sweetwater was shallow and they came across and headed to the corner at marker 36E. V1 occupant pointed to the left side of the channel on an overhead map and I asked him about being on the wrong side. 

He said they were going to cut the corner traveling down the lake. V1 occupant said Operator1 tried to go right to avoid hitting the other boat. V1 occupant said he does not remember hitting the boat but did recall coming up from the water and holding onto the side of Operator1's capsized boat about midway down the hull on the passenger side. He said that he remembered Operator1 being directly to his right toward the stern of the boat. He told Operator1 to hang on but Operator1 became too weak and slipped beneath the surface of the water. V1 occupant also recalled seeing the other boater, hanging onto the bow of Operator1's boat. He said the other guy was about half out of the water.

After reviewing all the evidence that has been made available to me at the time of this report I have concluded that Operator1 being on the wrong side of the channel at marker 36E is at fault for the incident. I base this conclusion on 2 factors. The first factor being that V1 occupant said in his interview on February 4, 2017 that they were going to cut the corner as they headed to Galt's Ferry to continue fishing. The second factor being the downloaded information from Garmin Echomap GPS unit showing several hundred plotted GPS points. RFC was able to show the exact route that he took on the day of the incident. From the time Operator2 launched his boat until the boat was towed from the scene of the incident there are latitude and longitude coordinates, speeds, headings, times, and dates putting Operator2 boat in extremely close if not exact positions on Allatoona Lake.


BARDID: GA-2017-0015
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE
NearestCityorTown: FORT GAINES
County: CLAY
WaterConditions: Choppy
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling West from Sandy Branch Park and entered the main body of Lake Walter F. George at or adjacent to Odom's Point. At this time vessel 1 made a right turn when entering the main lake which altered his direction from West to North.  Vessel 2 was traveling South, from the Gopher Island / Pataula Creek area North of Odom’s Point. Both vessels were displaying a head on path. The operator of vessel 1 stated, he saw the approaching vessel 2, slowed down, and came to a stop. As vessel 2 continued to approach, vessel 1 operator stated they waived their hands to signal the other vessel.  Both vessels changed course and turned East in an attempt to avoid a head on collision. By turning East, both vessels were entering shallow water, which further restricted their maneuverability.

 At approximately 0930 hours, vessel 2 struck the port side gunnel of vessel 1 with its starboard side bow. Vessel 1operator stated, he "drove forward to get out from under" vessel 2.  Immediately during the collision the operator of vessel 2 was ejected from his vessel activating the engine kill switch.  The operator of vessel 2 was able to re-enter his vessel without injury.  The operators of both vessels made contact to exchange contact information. The two vessels then parted ways, vessel 1 returned to Sandy Branch Park, vessel 2 continued fishing. The operator of vessel 1, contacted Alabama authorities.

 Sgt and I made contact with both vessels and retrieved occupant information and collected evidence and photos of the damage. During the interview with vessel 2 operator, he stated he did not see the other vessel until they were close and tried to pass them on their starboard side, turning East. 

No clear determination could be made as to which vessel was the Stand On and which was the Give Way in this incident and no charges were filed against either operator.


BARDID: GA-2017-0016
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE JACKSON
NearestCityorTown: MONTICELLO
County: JASPER
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday May 6, 2017 at approximately 1640 hours I was contacted by Jasper County 911 reference to a vessel that was on fire at Bear Creek Marina on Jackson Lake in Jasper County.
 
  Upon my arrival I made contact with the owner and the operator of the vessel. Operator stated that when he was starting the motor he heard a loud pop coming from the area of the motor - at the time the boat was tied to the dock at Bear Creek Marina. Operator stated that was where the fire took place and that they had not left the dock before the fire started. Operator stated that he was able to extinguish the fire after deploying several fire extinguishers. Operator stated there was no one injured during the incident. 

  I observed that the motor, a 90 horse power Mercury Force, was completely burnt and the seating area at the stern had been partially burned as well. There were several dispensed fire extinguishers on the floor of the pontoon boat at this time. It appeared the fire was completely out and there was nothing burning at this time.

  I asked Operator to estimate of the cost to repair the boat and he stated $7500.00 dollars.


BARDID: GA-2017-0017
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: OGEECHEE RIVER/MIDVILLE
NearestCityorTown: TWIN CITY
County: EMANUEL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Equipment failure
OtherAccidentCause: Unseen water hazard
EquipmentFailure: Seat broke loose
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On April 29, 2017, I Cpl. was at the First Annual Red Breast Tournament at the Bull Hole Landing on the Ogeechee River in Jenkins County, Georgia.  At approximately 1330 hours, Jenkins County deputies arrived at the landing with reports of a boating incident that occurred on the river.  According to Deputy of the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office, someone was ejected from a boat and sustained injuries.  Upon further investigation it was determined that the incident occurred near the Midville boat landing on the Ogeechee River.

I notified Georgia State Patrol of the incident and told them I was enroute to the scene.  I then notified Cpl. with the GA DNR LE about the incident.  Both Cpl. and I responded to the scene.  I arrived on scene at approximately 1345 hours.  The victim was sitting on the back of his truck with bandages around his head.  His girlfriend was also with him.  Burke County paramedics were treating Victim's injury.

I gathered personal information from Victim and Girlfriend.  While the paramedics were treating Victim, Girlfriend told me a brief description of the events that led to his injuries.  Girlfriend stated that they were riding up the river when the motor struck an object under the surface of the water.  She stated that she felt the boat jerk and then she heard a splash.  That is when she realized that Victim had been ejected from the boat.  She stated that the boat started turning in circles.  She made her way to the back of the boat and pulled the kill switch to stop the motor.  When the boat was turning in circles the propeller/skeg struck Victim in the head.  Girlfriend stated that Victim made it to the shore on the Emanuel County side of the river.  He then made his way across the bridge to his truck.  Girlfriend got the boat back to the boat landing and called 911.  Victim was transported to Augusta University Medical Center by Burke County paramedics.  He sustained injuries to the top right side of his head.

After the ambulance left, Cpl. arrived at the scene. We photographed and processed the boat. It was a 14 foot open fiberglass boat. The throttle of the motor (Suzuki 9.9 Ser. #00994F-511263) was in the forward position. The kill switch was hanging on the tiller of the motor. I got in the boat and checked to make sure there were no mechanical malfunctions to the kill switch and the throttle. I determined that the motor would not start unless it was in neutral. The forward and reverse gears also worked the way they were supposed to work. I also determined that the kill switch functioned properly. The boat and motor appeared to be in good working order.

The boat contained two Type II personal floatation devices. They were accessible but were not in use at the time of the incident. The boat also contained several fishing poles, two cricket cages, paddles, tackle box, anchor, and other personal items. There was one empty beer can in the back of the boat. In a cooler that was on the shore in front of the boat there were several unopened beer cans and some bottled water. Cpl. and I loaded the boat on the trailer and secured the personal items in the cab of the truck. Upon the request, we left the truck, boat, trailer, and motor in the parking lot of the boat landing in Midville.

On Sunday, April 30, 2017, I made contact. They were leaving the hospital. Victim had to get several stitches for his head injury, but other than that he was okay. I made arrangements to meet with them on Monday, May 1 to get written statements from both of them. I met with them at approximately 1400 hours on May 1, 2017. Victim was expecting to go back to work the next day. He also told me that the seat that he was sitting in had come loose from the boat and was gone. He said it must have come out of the boat when he was ejected. He also confirmed that he was not wearing the kill switch lanyard at the time of the incident.

My conclusion, based on my observations, the evidence available to me at the time, and witness statements, is the cause of the incident was when the boat struck an underwater object just upstream from the Hwy 56 bridge. Victim was ejected from the boat when the boat made a sudden change in direction of travel. The seat coming loose from the boat more than likely contributed to Victim entering the water. If Victim had been wearing the kill switch lanyard properly he more than likely would not have been struck by the propeller/skeg. My conclusion is subject to change in the event new evidence is presented to me.
After the ambulance left, Cpl. arrived at the scene.  We photographed and processed the boat.  It was a 14 foot open fiberglass boat.  The throttle of the motor (Suzuki 9.9 Ser. #00994F-511263) was in the forward position.  The kill switch was hanging on the tiller of the motor.  I got in the boat and checked to make sure there were no mechanical malfunctions to the kill switch and the throttle.  I determined that the motor would not start unless it was in neutral.  The forward and reverse gears also worked the way they were supposed to work.  I also determined that the kill switch functioned properly.  The boat and motor appeared to be in good working order.

The boat contained two Type II personal floatation devices.  They were accessible but were not in use at the time of the incident.  The boat also contained several fishing poles, two cricket cages, paddles, tackle box, anchor, and other personal items.  There was one empty beer can in the back of the boat.  In a cooler that was on the shore in front of the boat there were several unopened beer cans and some bottled water.  Cpl. and I loaded the boat on the trailer and secured the personal items in the cab of the truck.  Upon the request of Girlfriend and Victim, we left the truck, boat, trailer, and motor in the parking lot of the boat landing in Midville.

On Sunday, April 30, 2017, I made contact with Girlfriend.  They were leaving the hospital.  Victim had to get several stitches for his head injury, but other than that he was okay.  I made arrangements to meet with them on Monday, May 1 to get written statements from both of them.  Victim was expecting to go back to work the next day.  He also told me that the seat that h..


BARDID: GA-2017-0018
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAURA S. WALKER SP
NearestCityorTown: WAYCROSS
County: WARE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Overloading
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/03/2017 at approximately 2010 hours, I received a call from Ware 911 in reference to a boating incident that had occurred at Laura S. Walker State Park.  

I arrived on-scene at 2048 hours starting this investigation.  The vessel involved was a 12-foot aluminum Jon boat, propelled by a 15hp Mercury outboard motor.  According to the operator of the vessel, he along with his girlfriend and her two children were pleasure riding at Laura S. Walker State Park when the vessel started to take on water.  Operator stated that he was attempting to return to the boat landing when the bow of the vessel submerged.  This caused the entire vessel to fill with water and ultimately capsize.  Other visitors on the lake observed the vessel capsize and immediately began to assisted Operator and his passengers to the shoreline.  No coast guard approved PFD’s were on the vessel at the time of the incident.  

Once on shore, Ware County EMS responded and evaluated each passenger of the vessel.  Operator was eventually transported to Satilla Regional Hospital for injuries to his right shoulder and right wrist.  Once at Satilla Regional Hospital, Operator shoulder and wrist were x-rayed and it was determined that no bones were no broken.  Occupant transported herself and two children to the hospital by POV.  Once at the hospital, she started experiencing pain to her right side and asked to be evaluated.  She too was treated and released. The owner of the vessel, was contacted and responded to the scene and took possession boat.  Damage to the stern was observed and photographed.  Operator was issued a citation for operating a vessel without any CGA PFD's.


BARDID: GA-2017-0019
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:23:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
Based on the physical evidence, the statements from DNR LED Game Wardens, Forsyth County responders, witness statements, videos, and photographs the facts show that on Monday, April 10, 2017, at approximately 20:23 hours,Operator2 was operating a PWC on Lake Lanier south of Charleston Park in Six Mile Creek traveling North, in Forsyth County Georgia. Operator2 was not wearing a PFD and it was after sunset, when he was operating on plane and he approached a bass boat operated by Operator1. 

Operator1 was operating his vessel at approximately 49 mph, traveling North towards Charleston Park boat ramp. Video shows Operator1’s vessel operating on plane and Operator2 catching up with Operator1. This proving Operator2 was going faster than 49 mph to catch up with Operator1. 

Operator2 takes a 90 degree right turn on Operator1’s port side after Operator1 had come off the throttle trying to get away from Operator2. At that time, Operator2’s PWC struck Operator1’s vessel on the port side, ramping and continuing its course over the boat, rolling right, striking the motor cowling, hitting the starboard side and then entering the water on the starboard side of Operator1’s vessel. 

Operator2 was ejected off the PWC and he consequently drowned. The PWC continued to circle in Six Mile Creek. Operator1 tried to locate Operator2.

Operator1’s vessel was taking on water. Operator1 operated his boat to the Charleston Park boat ramp. Other witnesses called 911 and attempted to locate Operator2.

Forsyth County deputies and EMS responded to the scene. DNR LED Game Wardens were contacted and responded to the scene. FCSO Deputies and DNR LED Game Wardens collected witness statements. DNR LED sonar operators arrived and began searching for Operator2.

Witnesses said Operator2 had been drinking alcohol prior to the incident. Witnesses said Operator2 was not wearing a PFD.

On April 11, 2017, DNR LED Sonar operators recovered Operator2’s body. Operator2’s body was near the incident scene in Six Mile Creek. Operator2 was not wearing a PFD. The autopsy reported Operator2 had a laceration on the right side of his head. Painted plastic or fragments of fiberglass were found in the wound. Lacerations on his right leg contained small metallic flakes in the wound. These injuries are consistent with the evidence found on the motor cowling of Operator1’s vessel, where Operator2 possibly hit his head on the cowling of the motor while traveling across Operator1’s vessel. (See E-16). It’s possible that Operator2’s knee came in contact with the starboard side of Operator1’s vessel causing metallic flakes to be found in the wound.

The autopsy concluded Operator2’s death was caused by blunt trauma to the head with complication drowning, deeming manner of death to be an accident.
I photographed both vessels as found.  (See photograph log) The PWC was identified as a 2004 Sea-Doo Bombardier, black and green in color, Georgia registration GA 0902 EV; HIN - ZZN41571C404.  The bass boat was identified as a 1987 Gambler, blue and gray in color, GA registration GA 6686 LW; HIN - SOE8V275F787.  

I identified the damage on the PWC, documented it and photographed it. (See Evidence log).  I inventoried both vessels. (See inventories).  I moved the PWC in order to document the evidence, pulling it backwards, off the flat trailer.  The PWC showed more damage on the bow and starboard side.  The point of impact showed crushing fiberglass damage to the bow nose.  (see V-2 E-0).  Many scratches and transfers were located down the starboard side.  The top of the bow storage compartment was missing.  The starboard wake stabilizer was missing.

The Gambler bass boat had excessive fiberglass damage.  I found the point of impact on the port side near the stern.  (See V-1 E-0).  There was major fiberglass crushing damage with tears that continued towards the bow causing stress fractures in the fiberglass.  Fiberglass tears continued across to the starboard side behind the operator’s seat.  This showed the PWC ramped on top of the bass boat, continuing its course across the bass boat, damaging both port and starboard sides of the bass boat.  Damage occurred to the rear seating area, motor cowling, and stern storage area.  I logged all items inside the bass boat.  (See inventory).  I checked the bow and stern light bulbs.  All lights were in working condition.  I found a Sea-Doo rubber bumper bow piece on the floor board of the operator’s console.

I met with RFC1 at approximately 14:15 hours.  RFC1 gave me one (1) right black in color flip flop that was assumed to belong to…


BARDID: GA-2017-0020
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 07:51:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SEMINOLE
NearestCityorTown: DONALSONVILLE
County: SEMINOLE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Sudden medical condition
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday April 29, 2017 at 0750 hours, I was notified by Sergeant (Sgt) a fatal boat incident had occurred on Lake Seminole. Sgt. informed me Corporal (Cpl.) was already en-route to the scene. I arrived on scene at 1040 hours. I met Cpl. and Seminole County Sheriff's Deputy. The Seminole County Sheriff's office had already conducted their investigation. The Seminole County Coroner's office had already removed the body of the victim from the scene. The victim is a sixty six year old black male. 

   The incident occurred approximately twenty to twenty five yards from the boat dock. The dock has a Corp Of Engineers permit number of H464. I was told the body was found in six to eight feet depth of water. The vessel was in the water tied to the dock. I photographed the scene as it was when I arrived. Cpl., Deputy and I  pulled the vessel from the lake. The vessel is a fifteen and half foot Pelican canoe hull identification number ZEP15956L607. The vessel is a three seat canoe, but one of the seats is missing and another is broken on one side. The bottom of the vessel has several scratches. Some of the scratches are deep and look fresh. There are no obvious signs explaining why the vessel capsized. Not sure when the scratches occurred or when the seat was broken; the missing seat was found later at the rental property the vessel came from. 

   Cpl., Deputy and I returned the vessel to the rental property. We were met by a friend of the victim. I asked Friend if he knew anything about the vessel and he said the vessel belonged to the rental property. Friend did not know about the conditions of the seats before the incident; he said the vessel was upside down when he saw it in the back yard the day before. Friend invited us in to speak with the wife of the victim. Victim’s wife said they rented the property for a weekend getaway. Victim’s wife said her husband went out early that morning to go fishing. Victim’s wife said her husband was an ex-army ranger who knew how to swim. Victim’s wife believes her husband may have had a heart attack due to health issues he was having. Victim’s wife said there were no life jackets in the vessel. Sgt. arrived at 1135 hours and joined us inside the residence. I got contact information for the rental property and we then went outside. Cpl. and I took the vessel to the back yard of the residence. I then took pictures of the back yard and the dock at this residence. The missing seat was located near a tree in the backyard. Cpl., Sgt. and I concluded our investigation.

   On Friday May 5, 2017 I received a C/D from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office containing their incident report and photos. Also on this date I received an email from Cpl. containing witness statements from the neighbors who responded to cries for help. 

   Witness1 said in her statement she was walking out of her residence and heard a loud "cracking noise". Witness1 then heard calls for help, she then ran to her neighbors. Witness1 called out to the person crying for help and said she would call 911, which she said she did at 0751 hours. 

   Witness2 said in his statement he was in his front yard talking on his cell phone when he heard a man calling for help. Witness2 then ran to his dock; he said the man had already gone under the water. said he could see the overturned green canoe in the lily pads. Witness2 then yelled to his neighbor  (who was also out on his dock) to bring his boat over. Witness2 and subject then drove out to the scene and could see the man under


BARDID: GA-2017-0021
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:55:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was being towed. He fell and broke his right leg. Hall County EMS transported him to North East Ga Medical Center.


BARDID: GA-2017-0022
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SINCLAIR
NearestCityorTown: MILLEDGEVILLE
County: BALDWIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel A was traveling approximately 30 miles per hour and entered into the dead end cove of Golden Pond on Lake Sinclair. Vessel A struck the graveled train trussel separating the 2 bodies of water at a slight angle. Vessel A ramped up and came to rest on it's port side approximately 30 feet from the point of impact with a portion of Vessel A on the bank and in the water. 

The operator of Vessel A was ejected into the water and was retrieved from the water. I received the call from 911 dispatch and the operator and occupant had both been transported to the Macon Medical Center prior to my arrival. I gathered necessary information for the report as well as witness statements from the opposite shoreline. Cpl. responded to the Macon Medical Center and made contact with the victims. After toxicology reports were received weeks later Operator was arrested for BUI by Cpl.. See below Cpl. report.

I received a call at approximately 2200 hours from Cpt. in reference to a boat accident that occurred on Lake Sinclair in Baldwin County near Haslam's Marina. The driver of the vessel was being transported to the Macon Medical Center. I went to the Medical Center to interview Operator as well as his passenger. The passenger admitted to drinking alcohol throughout the day. After Operator was moved to a private room I was able to interview him. Operator admitted to consuming alcohol throughout the course of the day as well. However, due to his injuries field sobriety was not an option but I was able to conduct the Alco-Sensor FST at approximately 2330 hours that tested positive for alcohol. I also spoke with two of the Officers that responded to the incident location and both advised that there were empty alcoholic beverage containers on scene and that the Operator had a strong odor of alcoholic beverages coming from his person.

On Monday, April, 3, 2017 I met with Bibb County Magistrate Judge in reference to securing a Search Warrant for the Medical Records and a Blood Sample taken from Operator. I served the Search Warrant at the Medical Center at approximately 1430 hours that same day. I was advised that the Medical Records would take approximately 7 days. However, I was able to secure the Blood Samples and they were sealed in a GBI Crime Lab Alcoho Collection Kit, to be sent for analysis. I delivered the GBI kit to the George State Patrol Perry Post to be sent via UPS to the GBI Lab in Macon, Ga. Sgt. accessed GBI DOFS on May 23, 2017 and was able to print off the results which indicated the Blood Alcohol level of .179.


BARDID: GA-2017-0023
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SINCLAIR
NearestCityorTown: EATONTON
County: PUTNAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Capsizing
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel A was traveling west at approximately 20-40 mph along the channel of Little River when it struck the corner of a boat dock. Vessel A struck the dock with it's starboard pontoon and then ramped up and over the dock before coming to rest. The dock received moderate damage to the outside board, post and shifted the dock as well. Vessel A then continued to travel west as it began to take on water into the busted starboard pontoon. Vessel A struck a concrete seawall at a slow speed causing minor damage near Meriwether Pointe Road before capsizing. The occupants of Vessel A swam to shore uninjured. Wood samples were retrieved from Vessel A and matched the wood structure of the dock on Bass Road. Also, a 4x4 post that had been struck on the dock was linked to the front end portion of the pontoon boat, where impact had occurred. The owner of the Bass Road dock provided me with an estimate of the damage and was quoted as $20,000.00.

On 05/20/2017 at approximately 0005 hours I was contacted by Baldwin County SO 911 in reference to subjects lost on the lake who were taking on water. Dispatch connected me to the subjects. I could not ascertain much from Operator because of the profanities he was screaming at his father. I did make out that they were taking on water and believed they had hit a log earlier and that their boat was sinking. I advised them to take the boat as close to shore as they could and get out. Operator continued to use profanity as I was attempting to find out what area of the lake they were at. I left en route to our Sinclair boathouse and a short time later dispatch informed me the subjects were out of the water and did not wish for me to respond but I did to make sure everything was ok. I responded to the cove near Meriwether Pointe and located a pontoon boat capsized near the shoreline. I noticed 20-30 beer cans floating around the boat. I made contact with several people in a yard nearby who stated 2 men got out of the capsized boat and stated they had hit a log. 

The subjects were using profanity and walked off towards the road. I began walking towards the road when I began to hear someone screaming and using profanities. I made contact with Operator and his father Occupant. They appeared to be uninjured and denied medical assistance. Both Operator's admitted to operating the pontoon during the evening hours and consuming alcohol at Jackson's earlier.  I coud smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage on both subjects. Baldwin County SO units responded to the area to assist me. 

I began field sobriety on Occupant and received several clues on all exercises and positive reading for alcohol of .058 on the PBT. I then began field sobriety on Operator and received 6 clues on HGN to include lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation and onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes. I noted 9 clues during the finger to nose test. Operator displayed 7 clues during the palm pat test. Operator displayed 6 clues during the hand coordination exercises to include unable to follow instructions as he had with the other tests. 

Operator also admitted he was on pain medication (hydrocodone) for tooth work he had received the day before. Operator refused to give me a breath sample for the PBT. At 0205 hours I placed Operator under arrest and read him implied consent for a blood test and he agreed. Operator was transported to ORMC by a Baldwin County Deputy. I then responded to ORMC and once on scene Operator stated he wanted an attorney present before doing anything else. I asked Operator if he was going to take the blood test as he agreed to earlier and he said he was not at 0245 hours. I completed case tickets, DNR 1205 and Operator was transported to the Baldwin County Jail. Operator was charged with operating a vessel under the influence.


BARDID: GA-2017-0024
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-01-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:38:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: JACKSON LAKE
NearestCityorTown: MONTICELLO
County: JASPER
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On January 15, 2017, I, Ranger First Class with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (DNR CIRT) was contacted by Sergeant (DNR) in reference to a boating incident on Jackson Lake.  Sergeant said a passenger, later identified as Victim, was missing from a vessel.  I called the on scene officer, RFC.  RFC said he was at Nuthatch Beach in Turtle Cove on Lake Jackson with the operator of the vessel.  

I arrived on scene at approximately 0500 hours.  RFC explained that the operator’s daughter was the missing passenger.  RFC said that the vessel and items were recovered from the water by Newton County fire department. Next, I interviewed Operator.  Operator said he and his daughter, Victim, put the boat in at Berry’s boat landing.  Operator said they fished at the 212 Bridge then went to Connolly Ditch Bridge to fish.  Operator said he decided to leave Connolly Ditch and fish under the powerlines that crossover Jackson Lake.  

Operator said when he was driving the boat from the powerline back toward boat landing the boat started leaning to the right and it wasn’t “trimming” right.  Operator said he turned the vessel left and it started to “wobble” out of control and flipped him over the boat.  Operator said he had to dive under twice to avoid being struck by the vessel.  
It is my opinion based on the investigation, witness statements, operator’s recount, and all associated reports, on January 15 2017, between 2100-2200 hours, Operator1 and his daughter arrived at Berry’s boat landing to put the 16’, center console, Proline vessel into Jackson Lake to fish for crappie. They were fishing the area of the lake where the powerlines cross over (Near Nuthatch Beach). Operator1 quit fishing, while Occupant was sleeping in the bottom of the vessel not wearing a PFD, and attempted to return to Berry’s boat landing. While travelling approximately 20-30 miles per hour the vessel started to lean to the starboard/right side, therefore, Operator1 attempted to correct this by stepping to the port/left side of the vessel. This did not work, therefore, Operator1 turned the steering wheel to the port/left side. This caused the vessel to become unstable, resulting in the ejection of Operator1 on the starboard side of the vessel (Evidence 1). A kill switch was not utilized and the vessel began traveling in circles. Operator1 was not able to regain entry into the vessel. Operator1 swam to the nearest shoreline and approached the residence to get help. Operator1, residence owner, and Deputy were not able to locate Occupant. On January 16, 2017, at 1955 hours, the body of Occupant was recovered. Occupant was recovered 33 yards from the shoreline in 10.2 feet of water, near the area where her boots and personal flotation device were recovered. The autopsy results concluded Occupant drowned.

No physical evidence was located on the vessel to determine what caused the vessel to become unstable resulting in the ejection of Operator1 and Occupant.


BARDID: GA-2017-0026
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SINCLAIR
NearestCityorTown: MILLEDGEVILLE
County: BALDWIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Failure to vent
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel A had recently had 3-5 gallons of fuel dispensed into it and sat idling for several minutes. Vessel A was being operated across the lake at cruising speed for approximately one mile when the engine began to sputter. Vessel A came to rest with the engine running. An explosion occurred in the engine compartment and flames engulfed the boat. Attempts by the operator to put the fire out were to no avail. Vessel A burned to the water line and broke apart and sank to the bottom.

Subject put on a life jacket and jumped into the water as the boat was on fire. A nearby pontoon boat retrieved him from the water, uninjured. Baldwin dispatch received the 911 call and their patrol boat responded. The Baldwin deputies held the scene until I arrived. A diligent search of any remains of the boat was made with nothing discovered nor was any gas/oil leaks detected. subject was transported home by a Baldwin County deputy after I gathered neccessary information for the report.


BARDID: GA-2017-0027
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HAMPTON RIVER
NearestCityorTown: ST SIMONS ISLAND
County: GLYNN
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, June 18, 2017, we were on patrol in the area of Hampton River, Hampton Point Marina off St. Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia.  At approximately 1500 hours I observed a blue and white Nauticstar vessel attempting to dock his vessel in a slip at the Hampton Point Marina and seemed to be having trouble due to the strong wind and heavy tide at the time.  He attempted several times to get his vessel into the slip but continued to have problems.  On one attempt, his vessel hit the fixed dock at the marina and turned sideways on the dock.  At another attempt to get the vessel into the slip, he again got sideways on the dock and while trying to avoid further damage to his vessel or the dock, he throttled his vessel up making a turn to the starboard side and striking his port quarter against the motor of a vessel that was tied to the floating dock in another slip.

	After witnessing this accident, we tied our patrol boat up at the marina and offered assistance to Operator.  I surveyed the damage to both vessels.  Operator's vessel had a large scratch down the port side that appeared to be well through the gel coat.  The vessel also had a crack that was through the fiberglass on the port quarter which would have correlated with when he struck the motor of the other vessel.  The crack was approximately 12 inches in length.  The width was approximately 1.5 inches and was splintered from the puncture.  The damage to the Sportsman vessel appeared to be a bent skeg on the Yamaha VMax 250 of which the tip of the skeg was broken off.  I was able to make contact with Hampton Point Marina staff and identify who the owner of the Sportsman vessel was.  The owner of the Sportsman vessel came to the marina to check on his vessel.  While doing so, I gathered his vessel information for the report.  Both men exchanged information on scene and I gathered all information for reporting purposes.  

End of Report.


BARDID: GA-2017-0030
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: OSSABAW SOUND
NearestCityorTown: SAVANNAH
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 5/28/17 at approximately 1030 hours the vessel operator and passenger were fishing on Operator's 20 foot, 1991 Shoreline open motor vessel in the Ossabaw Sound near Hell's Gate, just south of Raccoon Key.  Operator said the motor on his vessel quit working and he was attempting to repair it.  While attempting to repair the motor, Operator said he cut his left hand with his knife.  

Operator said while the motor was inoperable he observed one to two foot waves that began to come over the stern and fill (swamp) his vessel.  Operator said he attempted to bail the water out by hand but his vessel was taking on water faster than he could bail it.  Operator said he called 911 to request additional assistance.  Operator said the vessel capsized causing Occupant and himself to leave the vessel and go into the water.  Operator and Occupant both said they were not wearing a life jacket when they entered the water but had life jackets to put on once in the water.  Occupant said she hit her left shin on the center console when the boat capsized causing a bruise.  Neither Operator nor Occupant requested medical treatment at the scene for their injuries.

While holding onto the capsized vessel a passerby saw the capsized vessel and stopped allowing Operator and Occupant into their vessel until Chatham County Marine Patrol Officer arrived in his patrol vessel.  A private tow company responded and removed the vessel from beneath the water where it came to rest.

On 6/5/17 I spoke with Operator by phone and he said neither he nor Occupant had been consuming alcohol the day the vessel capsized.  Operator said the stern on his vessel has a low profile which allowed the one to two foot waves to enter the vessel once the motor was disabled and his vessel was adrift.  Operator said he estimated the damage to the motor, vessel, battery and other electronic equipment on the vessel to be $2,500.  Operator said this vessel was uninsured.  There are no further leads or information at this time.


BARDID: GA-2017-0031
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FLINT RIVER
NearestCityorTown: NEWTON
County: BAKER
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 3, 2017, at approximately 10:45 p.m. vessel #1 was traveling north on the Flint River in Baker County.  Its operator failed to see the approaching shoals and vessel #1 struck a rock in the middle of the river just north of Sister Islands. Both occupants were ejected from the vessel onto the adjacent rocky shoals. Both occupants were transported to Phoebe Putney Hospital where they were treated for their injuries. The vessel floated off of the rocks and was located downriver the following day.
 *** Investigative Summary

On Monday July 3, 2017 I (Cpl.) and Game Warden were notified by Sgt. that a boating incident had occurred at approximately 10:45 p.m. on the Flint River in Baker County, Ga. Sgt. advised me that both the operator and passenger of the vessel had been transported to Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, Ga. G.W. made contact with the responding Baker County Deputy, who indicated that he would be doing an incident report (case# 2017-7-00241). 

I advised him of who I was and asked him to tell me what happened. Operator stated they were fishing on the Flint River, and were travelling North on the river towards the boat ramp when the passenger asked him why they had water in the boat. He indicated that Occupant told him to turn off the pump to the boat. He stated when he turned off the pump to the boat the water level in the boat rose to the level of their feet. He said the vessel continued to take on water and the boat got bottom heavy. He stated they continued north towards the landing and were “plowing through the water’ with the bow of the boat raised up in the air. He told me that they hit a rock in the river channel and that he and Occupant were ejected from the vessel. 

Operator stated that he suffered a laceration to his right leg. I asked him how fast he was going and he told me that he didn’t know. He stated that he had the throttle all the way down, but the boat was still plowing, so he wasn’t going fast. 

Sgt. then came into the room and confronted Operator about possible information that was obtained by EMT personnel that Operator was not driving the boat. Operator maintained he was driving the boat. He said he was sober and was the designated driver for his boss. 

I asked him if the plug was in the boat and he advised that he put the plug in before they left. He said that before he knew what happened he was on a rock and they were in the water looking at each other. He advised that he was able to get to his phone and call 911. He stated that this was only his second time going out on the boat with Occupant.  

I asked him if we could obtain a copy of his medical records for this incident and he told me that if it will help in our investigation that it would be fine. I asked him again how fast they were going and he indicated that it would have been between 10-20mph if he had to put a number on it. I asked him if he would write a statement for me and he advised that he would.  I asked him if they had life jackets on when it happened and he stated, “I plead the fifth”. G.W. then obtained a written statement from Operator.

I then made contact with Occupant and the first thing he said to me is “what the fuck do you want”.  I advised him that I wanted to talk to him and he told us to get out and that he is ready to go home. He continued to be belligerent and we advised him that we will be in touch with him at a later time. 


BARDID: GA-2017-0032
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-02-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: MUD RIVER
NearestCityorTown: CRESCENT
County: MCINTOSH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Improper anchoring
AccidentCause3: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Electrical
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On 2/23/2017 at approximately 0300 hrs Sgt. received a call from the United States Coast Guard and McIntosh 911 in reference to a sailing vessel taking on water.  Sgt. located the vessel in the Mud River and made contact with the vessel's only occupant.  

	  subject was at anchor in the Mud River when his 33' Kalik sail boat began taking on water from some inclement weather.  The alternator failed to charge the batteries and the bilge pumps became inoperable.  Subject was taken from the vessel with a few of his belongings.  Sgt. said that Subject's condition was stable, uninjured and obviously intoxicated.  

	Sgt. took Subject to a hotel, where I will follow up with him today.  The USCG was notified of the incident and I will speak about recovery efforts today. *** 
	On 2/23/2017 I, RFC, made contact with the owner of the sunken vessel.  Subject told me that he experienced a mechanical breakdown.  On 2/21/2017 he said he contacted the McIntosh County Sheriff's Office about his problem.  The MCSO sent their Marine Unit to him and they took him to shore to retrieve batteries and parts for his boat.  He spent the night at a hotel and was taken back to his boat the next day.  

	Subject said he replaced the batteries on board but the alternator was still inoperable.  He said the engine would not fire, and the vessel began taking on water.  Even with the batteries installed the bilge pump failed.  

	At approximately 0230 hrs this morning he woke up and noticed 2 feet of water inside the cabin in the boat.  He believes the keel was damaged due to the inclement weather.  He plans to salvage the boat with a crew and he is looking at a time frame of 6 months.  
	Subject said that he has the means to remove the fuel source and batteries from the vessel if it is needed.  He has been contacted by the USCG in reference to this incident.


BARDID: GA-2017-0033
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:41:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: NORTH RIVER
NearestCityorTown: ST MARYS
County: CAMDEN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On Thursday, 4/20/2017, I, Cpl. received a call at 2000 hours about a boating incident at the Meeting Street boat ramp in St Marys, GA. I then spoke with Cpl., with St Marys Police Department, who was the officer on scene. Cpl. advised me that a 911 call came in that someone had hit the dock at the boat ramp at full speed. He was on scene within 2 minutes of the call. Cpl. told me that the boat was at the dock sinking quickly and that the operator seemed drunk. Cpl. said when Operator seen him he attempted to back the boat up and the motor nearly completely submerged. A bystander got Operator's keys and backed the trailer in the water. Operator managed to get the boat on the trailer just before it sank. Cpl. stated that water was pouring out of the bilge and out of the 6 foot gash Operator had put in the hull when he hit the corner of the dock. EMS was called to the scene but both Operator and his passenger refused treatment. A female witness to the incident stated that the boat never slowed down.

	Cpl interviewed Operator who admitted to having 4 or 5 shots of Jim Beam whiskey. Cpl said he attempted Field Sobriety tests but Operator was virtually unable to perform them. I sent Cpl a copy of our Implied Consent for Boating. He read Operator the Implied Consent and Operator agreed to give a breath sample. His results were 0.172. Operator was transported to the St Marys Hospital because he had to get medical clearance before being booked into the jail because he was involved in an accident. Operator's wife was called to the scene to retrieve the truck and boat.

	I arrived on scene around 2200 hours. I photographed the boat. The damage was to the port side of the bottom of the hull. I found a half gallon bottle of Jim Beam whiskey under the driver's seat that was nearly empty. I also noticed damage to the top of the bow. Cpl told me that Operator told him that he forgot to pull up the trolling motor when they finished fishing earlier. Operator said he was running back in when the motor ripped off the bow from the pressure of the boat underway. I checked the dock and could not see any significant damage. I started the boating incident report there and got all the personal and vessel information from Cpl.

	I then went to the hospital to interview Operator. He was still somewhat out of it and appeared to still be very intoxicated. When I asked him to tell me what happened he said he really didn't remember. He thought he may have passed out before he hit the dock. I got some more personal information from him and made sure he knew he was being arrested for Boating Under the Influence. I issued him the citation and the 1205 Form. I explained his suspension of boating privileges. I left his copies with the patrol officer who was transporting Operator to the Camden County Jail.


BARDID: GA-2017-0035
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:11:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 13, 2017, I Cpl. was notified by Georgia State Patrol (GSP) in Gainesville about a boat accident on Lake Lanier at Don Carter State Park.  I was informed that the victim had been transported to North East Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia.  I and Cpl. arrived at the hospital and talk to the operator / victim that was involved in the PWC accident. 

Victim told us that she and her friend had just put the two PWC’s in the lake at the public boat ramp.  They were traveling south at about 20 mph down the river and she was on his left side behind him.  She moved out farther to the left of Operator2 to get out of his wake. She noticed Operator2 made a right turn and she also made a right turn.  Operator2 then made a turn left and that’s when she was struck by his PWC on the starboard side. 

We then contacted Operator2. Operator2 told us they had just put the PWC’s on the lake and were headed down stream running about 20 mph. He stated that he looked behind him over his right shoulder and did not see her when he turned to the right.  He then turned back to the left and she was traveling beside him on his port side. Operator2 then made a hard turn back to the right (starboard) to avoid hitting her but made contact with her striking her on the starboard side glancing off the PWC.   No alcohol was involved and both interviews were recorded on my State issued Body camera.


BARDID: GA-2017-0036
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:02:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HARTWELL LAKE
NearestCityorTown: HARTWELL
County: HART
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Fuel
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
I, RFC, along with RFC responded to a boat fire at Elrod's Ferry Ramp on Hartwell Lake.  Arriving at the scene we made contact with the owner of the boat.  Owner stated that he was the only person on board the boat at the time of the incident.  The boat was an twenty-two foot inboard.  He stated that his wife had backed him into the water and he had ran the blower for approximately five minutes before starting the engine.  He stated that the boat had been running rough so the fuel pump was changed prior to this launch.  

Owner started the engine and had drifted approximately twenty yards from the ramp.  He stated that he put the boat in gear and heard a "pop".  He then lifted the cowling and the fire overwhelmed him.  He tried to extinguish it but it was too powerful.  He then jumped into the water and swam to shore.  The fire department was able to extinguish the flames but the boat was a total loss.  

Owner was not able to grab his wallet, containing drivers license and other important information, or phone.  Both were destroyed in the fire.


BARDID: GA-2017-0037
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: HARTWELL LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LAVONIA
County: HART
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
I, RFC, on August 3, 2017 at approximately 9:38 PM responded to a call from GSP Gainesville in reference to a boating incident on Hartwell Lake.  The victim had already been transported to St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia.  The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 PM between Harbor Light Marina South and Party Island.  

A boat was towing the victim.  Victim was wake boarding at the time of the incident.  Victim stated that this was his first time doing so and when he began to come up on the board, the nose dived and it went to the left in the water.  He stated that he tried to compensate for that by turning his body to the right and the pressure snapped his right femur.  He stated that he heard it break, let go of the rope, and floated till the boat came and got him.  He stated that he had been wake boarding a total of approximately thirty seconds before the incident occurred.  

I spoke with operator on the phone and he stated that he had not even got the boat on plane before the incident occurred.  He stated that he went back to Victim after he had fell and Victim stated to him that he had hurt his leg. 

I asked operator and Victim if any alcohol had been involved and both stated that there was not.  I did not spell the odor about Victim's person.  My conclusion is inexperience due to it being the first time wake boarding.  Also, Victim is from Arizona so being unfamiliar with the lake could have played a role as well.  Victim was transported from St. Mary's to Athens Regional to see an orthopedic surgeon.
Note: Weather was received from www.wunderground.com.


BARDID: GA-2017-0038
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: WILMINGTON RIVER/WASSAW SOUND
NearestCityorTown: SAVANNAH
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Very rough
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 27, 2017, I talked with Operator via telephone regarding a boating incident that occurred on Saturday July 22, 2017 at approximately 1700 in Wassaw Sound just north of Wassaw Island close to the concrete debris on the beach.  Operator stated he was fishing and navigated his vessel into an area close to the beach and the waves suddenly became very rough.  Operator stated his vessel and engine became swamped and the engine shut off.  Operator stated the water depth was about four feet.  Operator stated his three children were on board with him and that a good samaritan assisted him and called 911.  Operator stated Chatham County Marine Patrol arrived on scene and assisted them.  Operator advised no one was injured, although his boat suffered approximately $5,000 in damage.  Operator advised he attempted to salvage the vessel the following Sunday but the weather was too rough and he had to go back to the dock.  Operator is planning another salvage attempt on Sunday July 30th.  Operator has also talked with Coastal Resources Division regarding the incident.  

Later in the day, Sgt. contacted me and advised me that boat Captian recovered vessel.  I called operator and let him know then texted him Capt. contact information.


BARDID: GA-2017-0039
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SINCLAIR
NearestCityorTown: MILLEDGEVILLE
County: BALDWIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person strikes propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, July 9, at approximately 1800 hours, the four occupants were at the train trestle near Haslam's Marina on Lake Sinclair, swimming. While trying to climb in the boat the victim cut her left leg on the prop. Her friends then transported her to Oconee Regional Hospital where she received stitches for a 9-10 inch laceration, and was later transported to the Macon Medical Center. The boat was not running at the time of the incident.


BARDID: GA-2017-0041
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-03-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: RANDY POYNTER LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CONYERS
County: ROCKDALE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On March 11, 2017, I, Ranger First Class with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (DNR LED CIRT), was contacted by Lieutenant (DNR LED CIRT) in reference to a possible fatality boating incident in Rockdale County that occurred the previous date. Lt. said Sergeant (DNR) was currently on scene (Black Shoals Park/Lake Randy Poynter) I responded to the incident and arrived on scene at 1054 hours. 

Upon arrival, Sgt. gave me information from Corporal (DNR LED), the first responding DNR LED officer. Next, I spoke with the occupant of the vessel. Occupant appeared to be upset because no one responded or assisted when he first called about needing a battery for their vessel. (See video) Occupant said he, his son, Subject2, and the victim were fishing in a boat between 1230-1300 hours when the battery to the trolling motors stopped working. 

Occupant said they paddled to an island and Victim called another person to have him bring a battery to the lake. Occupant said the other person brought the battery to their location, which was at a house near the dam. Occupant said within half an hour the new battery stopped working. Occupant said water started coming into the boat and at first they tried to scoop it out with a “night crawler” (aka a worm container) bucket. 

Occupant said, water started coming in on both sides of the vessel and Victim said “dude bail”. Occupant explained his son was seated at the bow, Victim at the stern, and he was in the middle of the vessel. Occupant said Victim “got ahead of me” while swimming. Occupant said when he and his son got out of the water they started screaming for Victim. Occupant said he and his son started walking but thinks they walked in circles. Occupant said his son woke him up when he saw flashing lights. 

Occupant said he was treated at the hospital for hypothermia and for a small amount of water in his lungs. Occupant said he was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) and wasn’t sure if any PFD’s were on the vessel. Occupant said the weather was windy and the water was choppy. (See video)

At 1327 hours I had a search warrant for the vessel involved signed by Rockdale Magistrate Judge.

Next, I met with Victim’s wife, who said Victim could swim and has not taken a boater safety course.

Next, Sgt. and I drove to the area near the dam, where the involved vessel was located. Upon arrival I observed the vessel with the hull side up. (The vessel was turned upside down) The vessel was a 1969 Sears, green in color, john boat bearing Georgia registration, GA 1036 UU. I noticed a scratch and possible gouge on the hull. (See photographs)

After returning to the boat ramp I spoke with Victim’s wife about getting the boat trailer off of Victim’s truck. Victim’s wife said she wanted access to Victim’s truck but was told by a Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) Captain that it was part of the investigation.  Victim’s wife said her daughter told her it looked like someone tried to “break” into the truck. I told Victim’s wife that I would discuss releasing the truck issue with RCSO investigators but she needed to speak with RCSO if she wanted to file a report in reference to someone possibly breaking into the truck. I talked with Sgt. and we determined Victim’s truck was not needed for further investigation into the boating incident. I spoke with Investigator, (RCSO) and he did not need the truck for investigative purposes. Also, I informed Investigator of the information I received from Victim’s wife about the possible break in. While Investigator and I talked with Victim’s wife about the truck, Sgt. located a one hundred dollar bill in a grassy area approximately 20 feet from the truck. Investigator was video recorded by Sgt. collecting the mone…


BARDID: GA-2017-0042
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: JACKSON LAKE
NearestCityorTown: MONTICELLO
County: JASPER
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 11, 2017 at 2333 hours, I was contacted by Ranger First Class in reference to a boating incident with injuries on Jackson Lake.  RFC1 advised the incident occurred near Barry’s Boat Landing.  I proceeded to Barry’s Boat Landing and arrived at approximately 0005 hours on August 12, 2017.  

Upon arrival I observed RFC1 speaking with a man, the operator of Vessel 1, a pontoon boat displaying Georgia registration GA 0124 VL.  RFC1 advised Operator1 was placed under arrest for operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol. (See RFC1’ report, 31917081101).  RFC1 said the operator of Vessel 2, was in route via ambulance to Newton Medical. Vessel 2 is a bass boat displaying Georgia registration GA 0347 CK.  

Next, I began getting verbal statements and contact information from witnesses of the incident.  Two people said they saw the pontoon boat (Vessel 1) strike the bass boat (Vessel 2) and leave.  They said Vessel 1 circled back around and hit Vessel 2 a second time.  They said they picked up the occupants of Vessel 2 and took them to Barry’s boat landing.  

Another witness said Vessel 1 was coming through the no wake zone under the bridge too fast and then increased speed after passing the no wake zone buoy on the south side of the bridge.  Witness2 said the boats collided immediately thereafter.  Witness2 said Vessel 1 “went up the lake, turned around, and hit the boat again”.  On August 12, 2017 I called Witness2 and he said he could not be certain if Vessel 1 had lights on during the incident.  Witness2 said after the collision no lights were visible on Vessel 1.  Witness2 said he assisted other witnesses with towing Vessel 1 to Barry’s boat landing.  

Next, witness3 said he saw Vessel 1 as it was coming under the bridge and he had to move his vessel to avoid a collision.  Witness3 said immediately after moving his vessel, Vessel 1 and Vessel 2 collided.  Witness3 said he wasn’t certain if Vessel 1 had lights.  Witness4 was with Witness3 and estimated the speed of Vessel 2 at 20 miles per hour.  

Next, I interviewed the passenger of Vessel 2. V2 occupant said they were about 50-60 yards from the buoys at Barry’s when Operator2 “whipped” (turned the boat suddenly) the vessel and Vessel 1 impacted his side (port side) of the vessel.  V2 occupant said the vessel “came from nowhere, I don’t think he had lights on”.  While V2 occupant was in the water he said Vessel 1 ran into Vessel 2 again.  V2 occupant said Operator2 was driving 45-50 miles per hour and Vesselwas driving 25-30 miles per hour. 

Next, initial photographs were taken of Vessel 1 and Vessel 2. I observed Vessel 2 partially submerged with navigational lights on.  I observed Vessel 1 tied to a dock with no navigational lights on.  Contents of Vessel 2 were released.  Vessel 1 was secured at a boat slip at Barry’s boat landing due to no boat trailer for the vessel.  RFC1 attempted to drive Vessel 1 to the boat slip, however, the vessel’s steering was damaged during the incident. While Vessel 1 was under power and RFC1 switched the lights  to the on position, I observed the stern light not working but the bow lights were operational.  Next, Cpl. and RFC1 transported Vessel 2 to the Jasper County impound lot.  

Next, I proceeded to Newton Medical to speak with Operator2.  Operator2 said he was headed toward Barry’s boat landing when suddenly he saw a pontoon (Vessel 1) 5 feet from him and he turned the steering wheel to the right. When I asked if Operator2 had seen any lights he shook his head no.  When I asked what caught his attention he replied, “the front end of a pontoon boat”.  Operator2 said he was not ejected upon the first impact but he jumped out of the vessel when he realized Vessel 2 was going to i…


BARDID: GA-2017-0044
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:18:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE OCONEE AT 1060 TREE A COO
NearestCityorTown: GREENSBORO
County: GREENE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 05/14/2017 at approximately 0909 hours, I was dispatched to 1060 Tree A Coon Place located in Greensboro, Georgia, in reference to a boating incident. Upon my arrival, I met with the owners of the vessel. As I spoke to the operator (the owner's son), he advised that he and the occupant had just left their cove headed towards the main lake to wake board. Operator1 stated as he entered into the main lake, he and his friend were looking down attempting to turn the radio system on when he struck the wooden seawall located at the above location. Operator1 stated as the vessel exited the water and struck the tree, his head struck the steering wheel causing bruising around the eye. Both occupants of the vessel, 2016 Axis Wake Board Boat, Hull Identification number AWRC6571G516, were treated on the scene by Greene County Emergency Medical Service and were released. 

	As I viewed the crash site, I observed the above vessel sitting in the back yard of the above dispatched location. The ski boat struck the wooden seawall, exited the water, and was stopped by two large pine trees causing extensive damage to the front end of the vessel. The Axis came to final rest point approximately four feet from the seawall. Extensive damage was observed on the bottom of the boat, along with visual damage to the sides of the vessel.  

	My investigation revealed the operator of the Axis did not keep a proper look out, operated the vessel above idle speed within 100 ft. of a developed shoreline, and was distracted while he operated the above vessel. 

	Sea Tow towing service was called to remove the Axis from the shoreline and was placed on the trailer. The damage to the seawall is estimated at 1000.00 dollars.


BARDID: GA-2017-0045
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:39:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE OCONEE
NearestCityorTown: EATONTON
County: PUTNAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Capsizing
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/01/2017 at 1739 hours, I was dispatched to the area of Horse Shoe Bend Lake Oconee (Putnam County) in reference to a boating incident. Upon my arrival, I observed a Bennington Pontoon Boat capsized. (Georgia Registration Number GA 0249 KX). The eight occupants of the above vessel were removed from the water and transported by another vessel.

I spoke to the operator. Operator stated the boating party left the jumping rock area of the lake when he could tell the vessel struck something under the water. Operator advised he drove the vessel to the incident location and as the vessel began to slow, the driver's side right (of the vessel) began to sink. Operator did state the boating party was able to retrieve their life jackets and exit the vessel before it capsized.  Operator informed me the vessel was rented from Typhoon Tommy's Rental, located at Cuscowilla and that he was on the rental agreement to operate the above vessel. Operator was requested to perform a series of test to determine his level of intoxication. As he agreed, I performed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus tests.  Operator showed no sign of impairment. 

	The business owner of the vessel, with Typhoon Tommy's, arranged Sea Tow to respond to the incident location to remove the wrecked vessel and tow it to Great Water's Marina for lake removal. On 07/02/2017 at approximately 1300 hours, I met with employees of Sea Tow to remove the above vessel. The vessel was flipped right side up and inflatable bags were placed under the damaged toon to level/stabilize the vessel. Once the vessel was somewhat level, the forklift at Great Waters was used to retrieve the pontoon from the lake. Several hours along with multiple employees were used to perform this task. Once the vessel was lifted out of the water, I inspected both toons for damage and/or defects. 

As the starboard side toon was inspected, I observed a large hole underneath the toon with wood particles located in the collapsed part of the toon. This damage was consistent with the striking of standing/submerged timber. I observed in the area (in front) of the damaged part of the toon, where the tree top slid down the toon (cleaning the scum) before striking the welded seam of the toon. As the tree top struck the toon's welded seam, the toon was pierced by the tree top. I observed no other defects to either toon of the above vessel. The above vessel was secured by Great Water's Marina. The area of the jumping rock was inspected for buoy's that mark the standing timber and it was marked adequately.    

My investigation revealed, the operator of the above vessel, Operator was at fault due to failing to keep a proper look out for lake hazards and operator inexperience.


BARDID: GA-2017-0047
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator stated that the sun was bright and she did not see the island. She ran the vessel aground. Occupant was in the cabin and hit something when the vessel ran aground. Occupant was transported to North East GA Medical Center.  *** This damage estimate is not binding. The repairs could be in excess of 38088 dollars.


BARDID: GA-2017-0048
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
The operator was headed north on Lake Lanier and ran aground near Port Royal Marina. No one was injured.


BARDID: GA-2017-0049
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:47:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TOBESOFKEE
NearestCityorTown: MACON
County: BIBB
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
	On 06/28/17, at approximately 0015 hours, I, Corporal with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division received a call from Corporal, in regards to a boating incident on Lake Tobesofkee in Bibb County, Georgia. Cpl. requested that I be enroute to the scene of the incident off of Mosley Dixon Rd. While I was enroute to the scene Cpl. contacted me via cell phone and requested that I head to the hospital to meet with the operator of the vessel. At this time, Cpl. was unaware of the subjects name or the name of the facility that the subject had been taken. I contacted Bibb County Dispatch and was able to ascertain that the subject had been transported to the Macon Medical Center. 

	I arrived at Macon Medical Center at approximately 0118 hours. Investigator and Officer, of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office were already on the scene. The subject had been admitted to the ER.  I was able to obtain the identity of the subject and basic information from Officer. Investigator informed me that he had read implied consent to Operator1 and asked for a blood sample to determine Operator1’s blood alcohol content due to the strong odor of alcohol coming from Operator1’s person and due to the fact that Bibb County officers had discovered alcohol on Operator1’s vessel. Operator1 refused to submit to the request for a blood sample. Investigator also informed me that Operator1 would not answer any questions and had requested his lawyer. Officer informed me of a witness that was at the scene of the incident when it occurred but that the witness did not see the incident, he had only heard the crash. 

	I went into Operator1’s ER room.  I immediately detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Operator1 while I was in his room. I introduced myself and asked about his injuries. Operator1 stated that he was fine. I asked about all the blood on the sheets from his head and he was unaware that the back of his head had sustained a laceration. He then began rubbing his head trying to locate the injury and seemed surprised once he located it.  I also inquired if anyone else was operating or in the vessel at the time the incident occurred. This information was essential so I knew if a search and rescue needed to be initiated. Operator1 responded that no one else was in the vessel and that he was the operator. I asked Operator1 if he would like to speak with me. Operator1 initially stated that he would but failed to respond to any questions. I asked if he wanted his lawyer present to which he responded that he would. 

	I then spoke with Operator1’s attending physician. Dr informed me that no life threatening injuries had been sustained but that I would need to file a medical records request for any further information. I was able to ascertain that Operator1 was transported to the Macon Medical Center by way of Middle Georgia Community Ambulance. 

	I then headed to the scene of the incident which was located off of Mosley Dixon Rd at Lake Tobesofkee. The incident was approximately 3 tenths of a mile west of the Claystone Park entrance and approximately 40 yards east of the bridge located between Claystone Park and Sandy Beach Park.

	Upon arriving on the scene I discovered the vessel, a 2001 Regal Commodore 2660 vessel (HIN RGMWD405D101), was completely out of the lake and was being removed by Ackerman Towing service of 900 11th Street, Macon, Ga. It appeared that the vessel was documented


BARDID: GA-2017-0050
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 00:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: YONAH LAKE
NearestCityorTown: TALLULAH FALLS
County: HABERSHAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 2, 2017, I, Corporal, Department of Natural Resources - Law Enforcement Division, Critical Incident Reconstruction Team member (DNR LED CIRT) received information about a boating incident that occurred on Lake Yonah on, or just before, July 29th, 2017.  I was told Ranger (DNR LED) and Sergeant (DNR LED) responded to the incident on August 1, 2017.   Ranger told me no one had reported the boating incident when it had occurred or within the required 48 hours.  Ranger said RFC (DNR LED) had received information from a concerned citizen who was not involved in the incident. (See supplemental report).  

On August 3, and August 7, 2017, I received emails from mother including witness statements from her, operator, father, and the two occupants.   

On August 18, 2017, I assisted Ranger by serving a search warrant for Operator’s blood at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) in Gainesville, GA.  I was told by medical staff, blood was taken on Operator, but it was disposed of due to no one placing a hold on it within 5 days.

On August 22, 2017, Ranger and I served a search warrant for Operator’s medical records at Corporate Plaza, in Gainesville, where the NGMC stores their hospital records.  I received Operator’s medical records.  (See Medical Records; Certificate of Authenticity).  I reviewed Operator’s medical records; they stated Operator was admitted on July 29, 2017, and was discharged on August 2, 2017.  The records documented Operator (23 year old) was the operator involved in a boating accident while intoxicated.  Operator subsequently ran the vessel on to shore causing his body to hit the steering wheel.  

Operator received a hepatic laceration, a large deep laceration on his left lower shin, and multiple superficial and deep abrasions involving face, chest and abdomen.  Operator had a concussion with loss of consciousness (less than 30 minutes), a puncture wound to the right hand, right renal laceration, lactic acidosis, acute alcohol intoxication, acute blood loss - anemia (expected).  On July 29, 2017 at 0150 hours, after the incident, Operator’s blood alcohol concentration was taken and reported at .194 grams. (See medical records). 

On September 1, 2017, I applied and received arrest warrants for Operator for boating under the influence and failure to report boating accident within 48 hours.

On September 3, 2017, I contacted Operator and advised him warrants were taken out for his arrest for boating under the influence and failure to report boating accident within 48 hours.  For his convenience, I told him he could turn himself in to the Habersham County Detention Center (HCDC) in Clarkesville, GA by September 11, 2017.

On September 8, 2017, I spoke with them and the Sergeant in charge at the jail.  I assisted the Sgt. with information on Operator and answered questions from his parents.

Based on the physical evidence at the scene, the statements from DNR LED Rangers, witness statements, videos, and photographs the facts show that on, or around midnight, on Friday, July 28, or early, Saturday July 29, 2017, operator was operating his parents 2016, 21’ Mastercraft Ski boat on Lake Yonah with three occupants on board the vessel.  A thunderstorm approached the lake and they dropped a friendout at their house and were headed back to Operator’s residence.  Operator wrecked the vessel on a point in Habersham County on Lake Yonah. (See Google Imagery)


BARDID: GA-2017-0051
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Congested waters
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling south in the Chattahoochee River on Lake Lanier in the area of the American Legion, marker 60. At this time the area was very congested due to the fireworks at Laurel Park. While making a left turn the vessel crossed several wakes and turned over. All occupants were able to escape the vessel uninjured and were rescued by other boaters in the area.


BARDID: GA-2017-0053
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:02:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 10th, 2017 at approximately 1410 hours, I, Game Warden responded by patrol vessel, to a boating incident that occurred in Forsyth County, GA on Lake Lanier, near the mouth of Two Mile Creek.  The incident occurred at approximately 1402 hours, and involved a 70 foot Sharpe Houseboat, that was drifting, when an occupant on board became injured.  The injured subject jumped off of the starboard side of the houseboat (top deck), and struck his head on the lower deck railing.  The houseboat was being operated.  Victim’s father, was on board, and witnessed the incident.  Victim was removed from the water, and given first aid.  Forsyth County Sheriff's Office ,and EMS arrived on scene and treated victim for the head injury.    

	Victim was transported to the Northside-Cumming Hospital for additional treatment.  He was treated, released, and is expected to fully recover.

***Nothing further at this time***


BARDID: GA-2017-0054
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE OCONEE
NearestCityorTown: GREENSBORO
County: GREENE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Case number 2252017041501

	On 04/15/17, Cpl. and I received a call from the Greene County 911 Center in reference to a boating incident on Lake Oconee.  The dispatcher advised there was a boating incident on the lake and two vessels were involved.  The dispatcher stated the vessels were at the Armor Bridge boat ramp in Reynolds Plantation.  We responded to the incident scene.  We discovered it was a single boating incident.

	When I arrived I made contact with the victim, who was being taken to Athens Regional Medical Center to have his injuries treated.  I noted there was a large laceration on the inside portion of his left ankle.  The EMS personnel stated that he was being considered a trauma patient and needed to be transported immediately.  I advised the EMS personnel we would follow up with the victim later at the hospital.  

	Cpl. spoke with the operator and acquired the information from the operator and vessel.  The operator and owner of the vessel was identified.  Operator1 stated they were on Lake Oconee fishing.  Operator1 stated they were traveling to the next spot they wanted to fish.  Operator1 stated they were going around a point near Long Shoals Boat when the vessel skidded throwing him from the vessel.  Operator1 stated the kill switch was attached to his PFD and the vessel came to rest several yards from him.  Operator1 said he did not see Occupant in the vessel and called for him.  A few moments later, Operator1 said Occupant came to the surface.  Operator1 stated he was able to get back into the vessel and help Occupant back into the boat.  Operator1 stated he noted a large cut to Occupant’s ankle, then immediately called 911 and went back to the boat ramp.  We obtained a witness statement from Operator1.

	Cpl. and I went to Athens Regional Medical center to follow up with Occupant and to get a witness statement.  I had Occupant complete a witness statement. Occupant was treated for his injuries and released.  No charges will be filed in this incident.


BARDID: GA-2017-0055
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:28:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE TOBESOFKEE
NearestCityorTown: MACON
County: BIBB
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 17th, 2017, I, RFC received a call from Tobesofkee Ranger at approximately 1530 hours in reference to a boating incident that had occurred on Lake Tobesofkee. I immediately notified Cpl. and Cpl. of the incident. 

	At 1546 hours, I arrived on scene at  the Claystone Park office where the individuals involved in the boating incident were arriving back to shore. Victim appeared to be holding her left arm at the elbow while Tobesofkee Rangers and bystanders assisted her in exiting the vessel. EMS had already been contacted and was in route to the scene. While waiting on Macon/Bibb County EMS to arrive I was able to conduct interviews, collect witness statements and contact information for everyone involved in the incident. Upon arrival of EMS, Victim refused on scene treatment. Operator later transported Victim to Coliseum Northside Hospital in Macon. I later spoke with Operator about the extent of Victim's injuries. Operator explained that Victim was being treated for a left humerus fracture.

	Based on interviews and witness statements, I was able to determine that at approximately 1530 hours, Operator was towing Victim on a wake board near arrowhead park on Lake Tobesofkee. Victim was attempting to surf over a wake when she lost her balance and fell on her left side, striking her left arm against the wake board. Nothing further.


BARDID: GA-2017-0056
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: JACKSON LAKE
NearestCityorTown: COVINGTON
County: NEWTON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Other
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
OtherAccidentEvent: departure from bridge
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
I responded to a call of a boating incident Sunday, June 25 at approximately 1710 hours in the area of Connley Ditch Road on Jackson Lake. According to witnesses, Vessel 1 (V01), was traveling north under the bridge at Connley Ditch Road. Swimmer 01 (S01) was jumping off of the bridge into the lake. S01 jumped, impacting V01 on the drivers side windshield as well as the drivers side console. S01 was transported to Clearview Medical Center in Monroe, Georgia and was treated for lacerations and glass shards in both feet. Damage was documented on V01 including  a busted drivers side windshield and numerous gauges on the drivers console.


BARDID: GA-2017-0057
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: FLOWERY BRANCH
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Fuel
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 27, 2017 I, RFC, responded to a boat incident (boat fire) in Hall County, Lake Lanier, in Big Creek near Van Pugh Park. As I arrived Hall County Fire personnel was already on scene. The burnt remains of the vessel was on shore near Van Pugh Park. The boat was burned to the water line and no one was aboard.

I located the owner and operator and the other witnesses. Operator stated that he fueled up at Holiday Marina in Big Creek and began heading towards the main body of the lake. When his vessel was near the mouth of Big Creek he heard a loud pop. He noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. When he inspected the compartment, he saw flames in the compartment. He attempted to extinguish the flames with the vessels fire extinguisher but was unable. Everyone grabbed a pfd and jumped overboard. The vessel burned to the waterline and drifted to the shore.

No further details a this time.


BARDID: GA-2017-0058
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:49:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person strikes propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On july 15 2017 i ranger first class (rfc) and corporal (cpl) responded to a boating incident at port royale marina on lake lanier. The victim received a laceration to his right calf. According to the victim and other occupants of the vessel. Victim was standing in the water at the bow of a rented pontoon boat and was trying to pull the boat up onto the beach to secure it better so that it did not drift away. While he was pulling the boat towards him he slipped and the skeg of the port side pontoon went over his leg causing a laceration. 

The vessel was not running at the time and no one was seated at the helm. The operator of the vessel rented the vessel. However at the time of the incident operator was assisting victim with pulling the pontoon forward onto the beach. I spoke with all occupants of the vessel and nearby swimmers that were in the same party. All witnesses had a collaborated the story that was told to me by victim. I did not observe any indicators of any alcohol consumption on either victim or operator. Victim received treatment by first responders and was transported to the hospital by his spouse for further evaluation and treatment.


BARDID: GA-2017-0059
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Weather
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 30, 2017, I, Ranger First Class (RFC) along with RFC responded to a boating incident at Holiday Marina on Lake Lanier.  Once we arrived on scene, we met with Operator1 and Subject2.  Operator1 stated that at the time of the incident, he was operating his 2003 Odyssey pontoon boat occupied by his wife and two children.  At approximately 1145 hours, Operator1 was attempting to dock his vessel at the restaurant dock located at Holiday Marina.  Operator1 stated that he was attempting to make a port side turn into a boat slip when the wind caught his boat and pushed him sideways.  At the same time that the wind caught his vessel, Operator1 attempted to shift into reverse and his engine lost power.  

As a result, the wind pushed Operator1’s vessel into a moored unoccupied Yamaha bow rider belonging to subject2.  The port side pontoon of Operator1’s boat struck the ski platform on the stern of the Yamaha bow rider causing some damage.  Subject2 stated that he was at the restaurant with his family at the time of the incident and that he did not witness the incident.  I gathered pertinent information and witness statements from both Operator1 and Subject2.  I also ascertained a witness statement from Operator1’s wife. I conducted a vessel safety inspection on both vessels and confirmed that both vessels were equipped with all proper safety equipment.  My interactions with Operator1 and Subject2 were recorded on my state issued body camera.


BARDID: GA-2017-0060
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 22, 2017 I, RFC was forwarded an email about a possible boating incident that happened previous date on Lake Lanier. The email stated a sixteen year old suffered a head injury after attempting a back flip from the boat. The email also stated the sixteen year old was transported to the hospital.

The contact information I received from Forsyth County Dispatch. Subject is the mother of the injured person.  I called and left Subject a voice mail. Subject in return left me a voice mail later in the day.

On August 23, 2017 I spoke with Subject about what happened earlier in the week. She stated he son's cranial scan had came back good but he had a seven inch laceration to the forehead area. Subject stated her husband was operating the boat. They left Port Royale and stopped just in front of the marina so her son could get into water, to start tubing. Her son wanted to do a back flip off the boat. He failed to clear the back of the boat striking his head. Subject called 911 and kept her son alert until the ambulance arrived. Her son was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. I explained to Subject the requirements of a incident report due to her son receiving medical treatment. Subject seemed aggravated that I was asking her these questions. I also explained to her that I wasn't looking for any criminal charges just simply getting required information. Subject said she had to go because she had a call holding for her. I got her email and told her I would shoot her a few questions and a witness statement form. 

Later in the day Subject called and stated she didn't have time to do this and it wasn't her problem, it was mine. I advised her I was trying to make things easier for her. She told me she could give me the information over the phone but then said she didn't have thirty minutes to talk to me because she was busy.  She told me I would have to make an appointment to talk to her and she wasn't going to fill out the questions I sent her. Subject was very short and agitated on the phone. I told her I also had other responsibilities and couldn't wait three weeks. The call was ended without a solution or any of the information i needed. 

I advised Cpl. of the situation and he attempted to call Subject. The next morning subject2 called Cpl. and asked for us stop pestering his wife and family. Cpl. explained the requirements by law and subject2 also stated he nor his wife had time for this. Cpl. was able to ascertain some information from subject2.

The boat was rented from Paradise Rentals at Port Royale. I went by and picked up a copy of the rental agreement. (see attached). Paradise rental personnel told me subject2 had called them and asked for a refund. subject2 told Paradise personnel the current injury status of his son, much more information than was offered to me or Cpl.. 


BARDID: GA-2017-0061
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:48:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
According to all information gathered, two subjects both age 15 were tubing behind the vessel.  The tube went airborne at some point and both teenage males fell off.  subject1 went into the water first and subject2 landed on his head.  Subject1 was face down in the water and unconscious when operator returned.  operator  was able to get the subject into his vessel and he began to have convulsions.  911 was called and EMS personnel met operator at Mary Alice Park.  subject2 received no injury.  subject1 was transported to North Fulton Hospital.


BARDID: GA-2017-0062
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: CUMMING
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 21, 2017 at approximately 2215hrs Ranger and I, Corporal, were patrolling Lake Lanier when we were notified by a passerby of a boating incident. The passerby informed us there was a white cabin cruiser vessel that had run aground on some rocks and was totally out of the water. 

Ranger and I located the grounded vessel near buoy marker 17. Ranger confirmed with the occupants that there were no injuries. The operator advised me he couldn't see the hazard marker well and ran aground on the rocks. The vessel was approximately 60-70ft away from the hazard marker when he ran aground. 

He had already notified Tow Boat US and they arrived on scene shortly thereafter. The tow boat was unable to dislodge the vessel from the rocks and it was left over night. He and his passengers were given a courtesy ride back to their dock near Bald Ridge Marina. 

I was notified by Tow Boat US the following morning they were able to remove the vessel from the rocks.


BARDID: GA-2017-0064
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: GWINNETT
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 4, 2017 at approximately 1500hrs I, Cpl., along with Game Warden, received a call in reference to a boating incident at Sunset Cove at Lake Lanier Islands. Hall County dispatch informed us the complainant was at dock F inside Sunset Cove. Additionally, they advised the incident was in regards to two tubers being injured. Upon arrival at approximately 1505hrs, Game Warden and I met with the parties involved and had them explain to us what happened. 

The operator informed me he was pulling a tube behind his pontoon boat. The tubers included three people. Operator stated they hit a wave and the tubers fell off. As they fell off, two tubers hit their heads against one another. 

Hall County EMS arrived on scene moments after us and evaluated both patients. (Both patients elected to seek further medical care on their own accord). 

Tuber3 informed Game Warden she was not injured when they all fell off the tube. While speaking with Operator I determined he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Furthermore, Game Warden and I conducted a safety check of the boat and determined the boat to be in compliance with all safety equipment.


BARDID: GA-2017-0065
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-03-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: APPALACHEE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: BUCKHEAD
County: MORGAN
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
	On March 11, 2017, Sgt and I were patrolling the Swords Road area.  We stopped at the National Forest public boat ramp to check fishing licenses and vessels when we noted a white open bow vessel with two people paddling towards the boat ramp.  Another vessel came into the boat ramp and I asked the operator of the vessel to assist the stranded vessel.  The vessel was towed to the dock.  We asked the occupants what happened to their vessel.  Operator stated they had hit something on the other side of the island across from the boat ramp.  Operator stated they went further up the lake hitting another object below the waterline.  Operator stated they paddled back towards the boat ramp.  We helped him load his vessel onto the trailer.
	The vessel was identified as a 2004 18 foot white Bayliner, registration number GA 6608 ZK.  I noted that the housing holding the stern drive was broken off.  I helped Operator secure the stern drive with a rope so he could transport the vessel home.  Operator stated he had insurance on the vessel and I advised him I would complete a boating incident form since the damage appeared to be over $2,000.00.  As I was checking fishermen in the area, one fishermen stated he saw the vessel going through the area marked for submerged timber and saw and heard the vessel strike what appeared to be an underwater stump.  The fishermen saw the individuals in the vessel paddling towards the boat ramp.


BARDID: GA-2017-0066
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:05:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Throttle
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 25, 2017 at approximately 1510 hours Cpl. and I received a call in reference to a boating incident located on Lake Sidney Lanier in Forsyth County.  The exact location was inside the no wake zone of Pelican Pete's Restaurant.  Officer and I arrived on the scene at approximately 1522 hours.  The operator of a vessel 1 attempted to dock his boat in front of vessel 2. Vessel 2 was already docked. The steering linkage  failed on the vessel 1 and operator ran into the bow and port side of the vessel 2. Vessel 1 had gel coat damage to the bow.  Vessel 2 sustained damage to the gel coat located at the bow and down the port side. This incident is video recorded***END OF REPORT***


BARDID: GA-2017-0067
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER
NearestCityorTown: OAKWOOD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Weather
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 4, 2017 Sgt. and I were patrolling Lake Sidney Lanier near Aqualand Marina.  At approximately 1630 hours we received a call in reference to a vessel that had run aground near old federal campground.  I responded to the incident location and observed an Erickson sailboat that had run aground on an island near Old Federal campground.  All occupants were uninjured.  The operator advised me that a severe thunderstorm had blown them onto the island.  He said he tried to get the sails down but it was too late.  The wind blew him onto the island.  Hall County fire and rescue pulled the sailboat off the island.  The vessel's keel was broken off and there was moderate damage to the vessel's bottom however the sailboat was not taking on water.  I towed vessel back to his slip at Aqualand Marina.  ***END OF REPORT***


BARDID: GA-2017-0068
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SIDNEY LANIER
NearestCityorTown: GAINESVILLE
County: FORSYTH
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 4, 2017 at approximately 2235 hours Sgt. and I received a call in reference to a boat taking on water near Vanns Tavern park on Lake Sidney Lanier.  I responded and arrived on the scene at approximately 2245.  I observed a silver Yamaha sport boat taking on water.  Officer and I instructed a white male to put the bilge pump on and for all occupants to put on life jackets and to step into our vessel.  

Operator advised me that he ran aground on the southern portion of the lake where two buoys are located.  He advised me that he ran between the poles that had buoys on them and continued operating to his current location.  He realized he was taking on water and proceeded to call for assistance.  I towed Operator's vessel to Vanns Tavern park and Officer and I beached it on the shoreline.  I observed moderate damage to the starboard bow portion of the vessel.  He advised me that he was going come back and remove his vessel from the area later.  ***END OF REPORT***


BARDID: GA-2017-0069
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE OCONEE
NearestCityorTown: GREENSBORO
County: GREENE
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 8, 2017 at 12:48 pm I received a text from our office, regarding a phone call that she received from the Oconee News. A reporter had been given information about a boating incident that had occurred on June 3, 2017. No one with DNR-LE had been given this information. I called Reporter in regards to this article. Reporter had seen a Facebook page asking for help to identify the vessel that had caused two females to be ejected off a PWC (personal watercraft). The Facebook article had been posted by Lake Country Pharmacy And Compounding Center. The article talked of a hit and run with the two females receiving broken leg injuries. I started trying to identify persons involved as well as their contact information since this appeared to be a reportable boating incident. 

Sgt. was also investigating the case. Sgt. obtained phone numbers through the pharmacy and Greene County Dispatch. I contacted Operator1, which was driving the PWC involved. She agreed to meet me at her home at around noon on the next day, June 9th. I then calleda passenger with Operator1, no one answered. I then called a Operator2 on the other PWC, and he agreed to meet me at v1 occupant’s house that night. V1 occupant turned out to be his girlfriend. I arrived at V1 occupant house around 2040 pm. 

Both Operator2 and V1 occupant gave written and verbal statements. Their statements stated that they were riding PWCs on Lake Oconee around the Old Salem campground area on June 3, 2017. Operator1 and V1 occupant were on one PWC. Operator2 was operating the second PWC. Operator2 flagged the two girls down, wanting to stop and talk to them. Both PWCs were stopped at approximately 30 yards apart. Then a white ski boat with yellow top and pulling a yellow tube drove between the PWCs. The wake from the boat caused the two PWCs to turn over and ejected the occupants. The incident occurred around 1645 pm. This caused both Operator1 and V1 occupant to break their left legs. Operator2 swam over and took Operator1 to the shoreline first because her injuries appeared to be more severe. He then came back to get V1 occupant and helped her to shore. EMS transported Operator1 to Athens Regional and V1 occupant was driven by car to St. Mary's Good Samaritan. 

Operator1 suffered from a broken femur and received surgery that night to fix her leg. A rod was inserted and she received eleven staples on three wounds. V1 occupant's injuries involved a fractured fibula and possible sprained ankle. More injuries may be present on V1 occupant's knee but doctor could not tell due to swelling. I asked for the location of the Polaris and if I could take a look at it. Operator2 said yes. He said it was located at his mother's residence on Hwy 278. I told him I would go by there the next day. 

On June 9, 2017 Ranger and I examined the Polaris PWC that Operator2 was riding on the day of incident. There was an extreme amount of scratches and not consistent with normal wear. All the marks were only present on one side, the port side. The marks appeared to be new. This led me to believe that this PWC may have been involved.  
                                                                                                          
On June 9, 2017 at approximately 12:40 pm Ranger and I interviewed Operator1 at her house. She stated that she was riding around Lake Oconee on a jet ski and had an accident. She was driving and V1 occupant was her passenger. Operator2 was on the other jet ski. She stated that she didn't remember much. She remembered being in the water, being in a lot of pain, and getting back to shore. She stated that she did feel like something hit her causing her leg to break. I asked her the location of the Kawasaki PWC that she was operating and she stated that it was next to the BP on Hwy. 44. 

Ranger and I then proceeded to the warehouse next to the BP where the Kawasaki PWC was located. We met …


BARDID: GA-2017-0070
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:08:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 25th 2017 I received a call from Hall County about a boating incident on Lake Lanier. I responded to the hospital and there I met the victim. Victim had injured her spine and broke a vertebrae while riding in a boat in Big Creek. The boat had hit a large wake which caused her to come back down onto the boat which injured her back. I spoke with the other witnesses on the vessel an they all said similar things. In conclusion she injured her back when the boat she was ridding in hit a wake. END of REPORT


BARDID: GA-2017-0071
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:26:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: OAKWOOD
County: HALL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 13th at at 1830 I RFC and RFC where alerted to a boating incident that had occurred on Lake Lanier in the part of the lake known as Chattahoochee Bay. RFC and I made our way to Atlanta Medical Hospital to interview the victim and the operator of the vessel, while another Game Warden was sent to the house where the boat was kept to gather the boats information and to talk to witnesses of the incident. 

When RFC and I arrived we met a woman who was the operator of the boat. She stated that her daughter was the victim. Operator stated she was pulling Victim in a tube when Victim fell off and when she came back up she was complaining about pain in her head, neck, and back. After a bit Victim lost consciousness and she was taken to meet paramedics at the Lanier Sailing Club where she was life-flighted to Atlanta. I week and a half later I spoke with Operator by phone. Operator Stated that Victim was making a full recovery from a concussion and some strained muscles in her neck and back. In conclusion, Victim fell off a tube while being pulled behind a boat and suffered a concussion which caused her to lose consciousness and was flown to the hospital where she was treated and released.


BARDID: GA-2017-0080
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:15:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE WORTH
NearestCityorTown: ALBANY
County: DOUGHERTY
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Overloading
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, September 9th, 2017 at 1733 hours, the Georgia State Patrol dispatch contacted Corporal (Cpl.) and informed him of a boating incident with one person missing on Lake Worth in Dougherty County. There were three survivors; the owner and operator of the vessel was missing. The location of the incident was approximately 350 yards east of the Nabs boat landing.

Occupant1 said they were fishing in a slough just up the lake from the Nabs boat landing on the left. Occupant1 said they decided to go further up river to another fishing spot. When they reached the channel of the river, Operator steered the vessel to the left and gunned the engine. 

Occupant1 said water started coming into the rear of the vessel and it quickly sank, with only the bow of the vessel sticking out of the water. He said they did not have time put on Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) and Occupant3 was the only one wearing a PFD when the vessel sank. 

Occupant1 said he held onto the bow of the vessel and Occupant2 held onto the vessels floating gas tank. Occupant1 said he tried to grab Operator, but was unable to reach him due to the water current. 

He said Operator tried to swim to the bank, but before Operator reached the bank he went under the water and never resurfaced. Approximately 3 minutes after the vessel sank a passing boater stopped and rescued the 3 survivors.  Cpl.  asked him what kind of vessel were they in and Occupant1 said it was a small fiberglass boat, green in color with an 18 horsepower outboard engine. Occupant1 said they had fishing poles, tackle boxes, a large blue cooler with colas and ice in the boat. 

     Occupant2 had left the boat ramp before I arrived but, Cpl. got a written statement from him. Occupant2’s statement said they were fishing and decided to go further up the lake. He said they went around the corner and Operator was operating the vessel. He said the vessel sank and they were rescued by a passing boater.  

     The 3 people who rescued them said they saw a lot of debris floating in the water and observed 3 people in the water. They rescued the three people in the water and did not see Operator.  

      The Department of Natural Resources Side Scan Sonar was used to search for Operator’s body into the night hours. The Side Scan Sonar was unable to locate Operator’s body and the search for Operator was ended at approximately 2300 hours. 

     On Sunday, September 10, at approximately 0800 hours, the search resumed for Operator’s body. Shore sweeps were conducted by Game Wardens and Albany Fire Department personal. Game Wardens continued to use the Side Scan Sonar in an attempt and locate Operator’s body. Operator’s body was not located and the search for Operator ended at approximately 1400 hours due to inclement weather from Hurricane Irma.
 
     September 11, no search was conducted due to inclement weather from Hurricane Irma. 

     On Tuesday, September 12, at approximately 0800 hours, the search was reassumed for Operator’s body. Shore sweeps were conducted by Game Wardens and Albany Fire Department personal.  Game Wardens again used the Side Scan Sonar in an attempt locate Operator’s body. The Albany Fire Department’s Dive Team attached a rope to the front of Operator’s subm…


BARDID: GA-2017-0081
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:28:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: NORTH POND SILVER LAKE WMA
NearestCityorTown: BAINBRIDGE
County: DECATUR
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Hull failure
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, August 13, 2017 at approximately 2158 hours, I was notified by GSP dispatch of a boating incident that occurred on Silver Lake WMA, in Decatur County. Dispatch stated a Decatur County Deputy responded to the incident. I spoke with Deputy whom stated two subjects struck a stump and sank their vessel. Deputy stated another vessel on the pond safely removed two people off the sinking vessel and escorted them to the boat landing. After speaking to the deputy about the incident both subjects left and went home.


On August 14, 2017 I made contact with the operator of the vessel, by telephone. Operator stated he had to leave the night of the incident and go out of the state for work. I asked Operator how the incident occurred. Operator stated he was headed back to the boat landing when his vessel struck a submerged stump damaging the transom. The vessel then started taking on water and began to sink. Operator stated his wife was on the vessel with him and called out to the operator of another vessel on the North Pond. Operator stated the bystander came and helped them off their vessel before it sank and escorted them to the boat landing. I advised Operator I would need to meet with him when he got back in town to get witness statements from him. 


On August 28, 2017 I made contact with Operator and wife at their residence. I asked them to write witness statements on how the boating incident occurred. Both subjects rendered written statements. Operator was also advised that he would need to remove the vessel from the pond as soon as possible.


BARDID: GA-2017-0082
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE LANIER
NearestCityorTown: BUFORD
County: GWINNETT
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
Cpl1 said a personal watercraft (pwc) had been found circling in front of the East Bank Park boat landing.  He told me a personal flotation device (pfd) hooked to a kill switch had been attached to the pwc, and was dragging in the water behind the pwc.  Cpl1 told me the victim, Victim had been found by divers approximately 30 yards in front of the boat dock adjacent to the boat landing.  Cpl1 told me that the family of Victim stated that he had been known to suffer from seizures.  Additionally, Cpl1 advised me the pwc would be stored at the DNR facility at Aqualand in Hall County.  

On September 2, 2017 I traveled to the DNR facility at Aqualand and examined the pwc involved in the incident.  It was a 1996 Sea-Doo with hull identification number ZZNA7010L697 and Georgia registration  0388 XZ.  I observed no visible damage on the pwc, or anything that would indicate a collision with another object or vessel.  After viewing the pwc, I photographed it and left Aqualand.

On September 26, 2017 I spoke to the witness who found the pwc circling in front of the boat landing.  Witness1 said he found the pwc circling at approximately 1800 hours.  He said a pfd was attached to the kill switch and dragging behind the pwc.  Witness1 said he was able to get the pwc turned off and called 911.  Witness1 said he observed Victim pwc trailer in the parking lot, and it was dry.  Witness1 said it appeared Victim was likely returning to the boat landing when the incident occurred.

After interviewing the witness, reviewing Cpl1 statement, and observing the pwc, I concluded that Victim fell off the pwc and drowned.  The lack of usage of a personal flotation device was a main contributing factor in Victim drowning.  It is unknown if Victim' history of seizures played a part in the incident.

This report is a true and accurate statement based on the witness statement and knowledge acquired through investigation.  My conclusion is based solely on information available to me at the time of this investigation and may change with the discovery of any new information.


BARDID: GA-2017-0083
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:19:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: REED BINGHAM STATE PARK LAKE
NearestCityorTown: ELLENTON
County: COLQUITT
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 4/16/2017, at 0931 hours, I, Corporal (Cpl.) received a call from Sergeant (Sgt.) assigning to me a boating incident investigation in Colquitt County. I called and spoke with Ranger First Class (RFC) for a briefing on the incident. 

On 4/15/2017, at approximately, 1419 hours Subject called 911 dispatch to report a boating incident at Reed Bingham State Park Lake. Vessel 1 operator was traveling behind Vessel 2 operated by his father. Vessel 2 operator decreased speed. Due to operator inattention, vessel operator 1, Operator1 did not observe Operator2's change in speed. Vessel 1 collided with vessel 2 impacting the port stern of vessel 2. Due to the high rate of speed, vessel 1 ramped up impacting Operator2. Vessel 1 then deflected off to the port side of vessel 2. Operator2 was ejected from vessel 2 into the water. 

Operator1 boarded vessel 2 and assisted Operator2 in holding on to the stern. Witnesses approached in a third vessel to assist. Subject1 held on to vessel 2 while Subject2 used the trolling motor of the third vessel to tow vessel 2 to shore. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived on scene at approximately 1430 hours and transported Operator2 to South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Georgia. Operator2 sustained spinal and internal injuries. 

RFC and Cpl. assisted Operator1 in removing vessel 1 and vessel 2 from the water. RFC and Cpl. examined both vessels for impact damage and determined the events of the incident as described by Operator1 and witnesses were indicated by the evidence. RFC and Cpl. released both vessels. RFC traveled to South Georgia Medical Center and spoke briefly with Operator2. Operator2 confirmed the events of the incident. 

On 4/16/2017, at approximately 1130 hours, I met with RFC at Reed Bingham State Park Lake. I collected evidence and witness statements from RFC and secured chain of custody. I photographed the incident scene. I spoke with Georgia State Patrol dispatch and obtained call history logs from the incident. At approximately 1400 hours, RFC and I received notification that Operator2 was still in treatment at South Georgia Medical Center but his injuries were not likely to result in a fatality. RFC and I cleared the scene at approximately 1530 hours. 

Following investigation, I have determined that this incident occurred as a result of operator inattention and inexperience. Vessel 1 operator is required to attend a boater education course prior to operating any vessel. RFC and Cpl. discussed vessel operation requirements and safety precautions with Operator1 and his mother. Results of this investigation are based on information available at this time and subject to change should new information or evidence become available. 


BARDID: GA-2017-0085
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-10-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: MOON RIVER
NearestCityorTown: SAVANNAH
County: CHATHAM
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On 10/2/17, I, Corporal received a text from Sergeant regarding a sunken vessel on the Moon River, tied to the dock.  I made my way to the above address and found owner of the sunken vessel. 

Owner showed me the sunken vessel that was still tied to his floating dock and stated that he had no idea how or why the vessel had sank. Owner stated he had just recently taken a deposit for the sale of the vessel. The vessel  was resting on its port side, on the bottom, and the wind had it partially lodged underneath the floating dock. The tide was outgoing. Shortly after my arrival, Sea Tow representatives showed up to aid in righting the vessel and were ultimately successful in raising it. Early inspection of the vessel did not reveal the reason for the sinking. I got the needed information from Owner and asked that if he needed a copy of the report for his insurance to let me know. The boat was towed to Hogan's Marina by Sea Tow for removal from the water and storage.


BARDID: GA-2017-0086
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-04-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: TURTLE RIVER
NearestCityorTown: BRUNSWICK
County: GLYNN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 4/23/2017, I, Corporal spoke with Sergeant regarding a boating incident which had occurred on 4/22/2017. I met with United States Coast Guard (USCG) Seaman and received report from the incident. I spoke with USCG Boatswains for a briefing on the incident. 

On 4/22/2017, at approximately 0915 hours, vessel owner/operator ran aground in Turtle River near the entrance to Plantation Creek. The vessel's transom was damaged extensively and the vessel began taking on water. No one onboard the vessel sustained injury. USCG transported operator and passenger back to the Sidney Lanier Boat Landing.  USCG monitored discharge of fuel and oil from the submerged vessel.

On 4/23/2017, subject arranged for the vessel to be removed from the water. No further action was taken by the USCG or Department of Natural Resources.


BARDID: GA-2017-0087
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 01:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: COWHOUSE LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LUDOWICI
County: LONG
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 7/16/2017, at approximately 0730 hours, I, Corporal (Cpl.), received a call from Captain (Cpt.) reporting a boating incident on Townsend Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Long County. Victim was lying face down in the water, 47 inches from the edge of the water, at approximate global positioning coordinates (GPS) 31 degrees 39 minutes 04.32 seconds North latitude, -81 degrees 46 minutes 33.52 seconds West longitude. The water depth at this location was approximately 2 feet. 

There are uncertain circumstances surrounding the events of the incident.  We did not observe any obvious signs of trauma. Victim was wearing a red in color short sleeve shirt, denim jean shorts with a black belt around the waist, white socks and a pair of black with white trim shoes without laces. CSS noted the zipper on Victim’s denim shorts was unzipped. Victim had a silver in color watch on his left wrist and a gold in color ring on his right ring finger. A black in color nylon gun holster was attached to his belt on the right side of Victim’s waist. There was no weapon located in the holster. 

Victim had tattoos on his right upper arm, right forearm, left upper arm, left forearm and right lower leg.  Victim had a small cut on his left forearm. I observed a large scar extending from the top of the sternum distally along the midline of Victim’s thorax to the bottom of the ribcage. This scar indicates Victim had a cardiac procedure called a median sternotomy. CSS removed items from Victim’s shorts pockets and maintained inventory. A black in color leather wallet was removed from right rear pocket. The wallet contained Victim’s Driver’s License, a stent implant card along with assorted photographs and papers. A set of keys, two one dollar bills and two five dollar bills totaling twelve dollars were removed from Victim’s right front pocket. Victim’s left front pocket contained another set of keys, a SCCY® brand magazine containing four unfired 9 millimeter cartridges and a small brown in color glass bottle with a white in color screw on top. The vial contained small white in color pills believed to be sublingual nitroglycerin medication. Victim’s body was placed in a human remains pouch and transported by vessel back to the boat landing. Victim’s body was released to Coroner at approximately 1210 hours. 

Coroner later transferred Victim's body to GBI Department of Forensic Services for autopsy by Medical Examiner Dr..  Officers left to interview vessel owner and operator. 

Two men were on a boat to tie bush-lines.  One stood up to urinate off the side.  The boat began to pitch and the other man tried to grab the victim, which caused the boat to pitch even further and capsize.  One swam to shore from the middle of the lake and the other got on top of the overturned vessel.  At some point, he must have fallen off the vessel.  

Both subjects had been drinking.  The victim had a .117and traces of cocaine, meth, cocathylene and benzoylecgonine.  The survivor had traces of tetrahydrocannabinol and meth.  At the time of testing, his alcohol results were negative.
Although there were two life jackets on the boat, neither was wearing one.  Both struggled in the water.
It is the investigator’s conclusion that the victim suffered a cardiac event exacerbated by illegal drug use and stress caused by the boating incident.


BARDID: GA-2017-0089
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE BLUE RIDGE
NearestCityorTown: BLUE RIDGE
County: FANNIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 10th, 2017, at approximately 2150 hours, I, Ranger (Rng.) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources-Law Enforcement Division-Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (GA DNR LED CIRT) was contacted by GA DNR LED CIRT Supervisor-Sergeant (Sgt.).  Sgt.1 told me that a fatal boating incident occurred earlier in the evening on Lake Blue Ridge (Toccoa River), in Fannin County, Georgia, at approximately 1800 hours.  Sgt.1 told me to respond to the Lake Blue Ridge Marina at 0900 hours the next morning to meet with Sgt.2, Corporal (Cpl.)1, and Cpl. 2.

	On June 11th, 2017, at approximately 0900 hours, I met with Sgt.2, Cpl.1, Cpl.2, and the Fannin County District Attorney's Office Chief Investigator, at the Lake Blue Ridge Marina.  Cpl.2 said on June 10th, 2017 at approximately 1810 hours he received information about the boating incident.  Cpl.2 said the incident occurred on Lake Blue Ridge in the Toccoa River channel above marker 8 at approximately 1800 hours. This area is commonly referred to as Fish Hook Point.
	
	Cpl.2 informed me that the operator of the 1999 Regal open-motor boat was operating his Regal in a northwest direction at a high rate of speed out of a cove with two adult females  and one adult male as passengers in the boat.  Operator1 was towing one adult male (Victim1) and one adult female (Victim2) on an inflatable tube behind the Regal.

	A nearby 1999 Malibu open-motor boat operated by Operator2 along with passengers was traveling north as Operator1 approached.  Operator1's passengers alerted him that he was closing the distance between his Regal, and Operator2's Malibu.  Operator1 then operated his Regal in such a manner that he caused the tube he was towing to come into close proximity, approximately 6 feet, of the shoreline.  The shoreline at this location is a wooded slope, which drops from the edge of the woods approximately 4 ½ feet to the rocky shore.  The shoreline in this area is littered with several fallen trees, which extend into the water.  Operator1 pulled the tube with Victim1 and Victim2 along the shoreline for approximately 124 feet.  The tube with Victim1 and Victim2 continued across submerged trees, partially submerged trees and rocks, until it finally made impact with a partially submerged tree.  The impact with the submerged trees, partially submerged trees and rocks caused Victim1 and Victim2 to be ejected from the tube.  Victim1 suffered blunt force trauma to head, chest, and abdomen.  He subsequently died from his injuries.  Victim2 suffered severe lacerations to her upper right leg and upper left leg.  

	Both Victim1 and Victim2 were transported back to the Lake Blue Ridge Marina. Victim1's body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Crime Lab in Atlanta. Victim2 was transported to Erlanger Medical Center for treatment.  Witnesses were interviewed at the Marina, and provided sworn written statements.

Cpl.2 conducted an interview with Operator1 at the Lake Blue Ridge Marina following the incident.  Cpl.2 said Operator1 had slurred speech, blood shot watery eyes, poor balance, and an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person.  Cpl.2 placed Operator1 under arrest for operating a vessel while under the influence, and immediately read him the implied consent warning for suspects age 21 or older.  Operator1 refused the test of his blood and urine at approximately 1948 hours.

	Operator1's Regal was seized as evidence for the investigation into the cause of the incident.  Sgt.2 entered into Operator1's Regal, and operated it onto a trailer for storage.  While securing the items in the Regal, Sgt.2 noticed what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette laying on the operator's console directly below the instrument panel.  This suspected marijuana cigarette was seized as evidence.  Operator1…


BARDID: GA-2017-0090
State: GA
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2017-08-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:57:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FLINT RIVER
NearestCityorTown: MOLENA
County: PIKE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 5, 2017 at approximately 00:03 hours, I, Cpl., responded to a notice from Sgt. to call Meriwether 911 in reference to stranded boaters on the Flint River. I called Meriwether 911 and they informed me that 5 persons were stranded on the Flint River somewhere between Flat Shoals Road and Highway 18 boat landing.  I retrieved my issued riverboat from Joe Kurz WMA and went to Highway 18 boat landing where I made contact with emergency personnel from Meriwether and Pike Counties. 

Onscene, Pike county fire department personnel advised me that Upson County fire department had just put their boat on the river. I spoke to family members of the stranded boaters whom advised me that they had cellphone contact with the stranded boaters and all were accounted for and uninjured. I asked her to make contact with them and ask them to go into the map feature on their phone, screen shot the location, and text it to me. Upon receiving the map screen shot text message I was able to determine their whereabouts. 

I led Pike County EMS personnel into the location by land and we were able to make contact with the 5 stranded boaters whom were seated atop a rock portruding from the river surface.  I walked out to them carrying personal flotation devices. I had them wear the personal flotation devices and then led them safely to the bank. All stranded boaters told me they were paddling down the Flint River in a 12 foot jon boat loaded with camping gear when the vessel overturned and they lost the vessel, paddles,and the personal flotation devices they had. Pike County EMS personnel returned the persons to family members at the Highway 18 boat landing. 

At the time of this report the jon boat has not been located. 

No further details at this time.


BARDID: GA-2017-0091
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE OCONEE
NearestCityorTown: GREENSBORO
County: GREENE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person tangled in activity equ
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/07/2017 at approximately 1550 hours, I received a call from the dispatch center located in Grovetown, Georgia in reference to a boating incident that occurred on Lake Oconee. As I made contact with Greene County's dispatch center, I was advised that the victim was being removed from the vessel by first responders and Greene County's Ambulance Service was transporting the patient to Good Samaritan Hospital located in Greensboro, Georgia. 

Upon my arrival, (at the hospital), I spoke to the victim. Victim stated as his family came to the dock from boating, he and his brother were attempting to secure the vessels to the dock but were experiencing difficulties due to the strong wind. Victim stated he and his brother were attempting to pull the boat with the jet ski but the rope continued to fall off the ski. Victim advised he had jumped into the water in order to retrieve the rope and as he hooked the rope to the ski, he advised his brother to throttle up the jet ski attempting to pull the vessel. Victim stated as his brother started pulling away, the rope circled him tightening up on his chest causing extensive pain to his left rib area. I observed the rope burn around Victim's chest.

	On 08/09/2017 at approximately 1045 hours, I made a follow-up phone call to Victim's wife and she informed me he was doing well but did sufferer three broken ribs due to the incident.


BARDID: GA-2017-0092
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-10-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:22:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE OCONEE
NearestCityorTown: GREENSBORO
County: GREENE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On October 16, 2017 at 0822, I responded to 1150 Big Water Point in Greensboro reference a boating incident.  Upon my arrival, I spoke with Old Salem Fire Department First Responder.  He advised that a 92 year old WM had been thrown overboard his vessel. The boat was still operating in an idling, circular motion while the subject was clinging to the port side rear of the vessel. 
     Subject advised that when he arrived to the complainant's address, he borrowed their jet ski in order to get to the subject's boat.  He was able to turn the motor off and assist the subject back into his vessel.  Subject returned the vessel back to the complainant's dock where Greene County EMS assessed the subject for injuries.
     The subject was transported for precautionary reasons due to his age to Good Samaritan's Hospital in Greensboro.  
     While at the dock, I inspected Operator's 15 ft. Lancer fishing boat.  All necessary safety equipment was observed and the vessel appeared to be operable.  
     While at the above hospital, Operator stated that he was operating his vessel on Lake Oconee (waters of the State) and due to the trim not being set correctly, the stick steer slipped out of his hand causing the vessel to make a sharp turn throwing him overboard.  Operator advised that he was able to throttle the vessel back before he was thrown overboard and while in the water, the vessel continued to circle him.  He stated further that he called out for help for approximately 45 minutes in which that time, Subject came to assist him. 										

While at Good Samaritan's Hospital, Operator was treated for lacerations to his skin on his lower extremities and later released. After a few days passed, I gave a follow-up phone call to Operator, and he advised he was doing well.


BARDID: GA-2017-0093
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: OCMULGEE RIVER AT JULIETTE DAM
NearestCityorTown: GRAY
County: JONES
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Dam/lock
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 4, 2017, a clear day with the temperatures in the 90's, at approximately 16:45 PM, Corporal and I (Ranger) were getting our boat ready at the Juliette boat ramp on the Ocmulgee river on the Monroe county side. Before we launched our boat, a fire-rescue vehicle from Jones county pulled up and advised us that they received a report of a boating accident. The rescue personnel then advised us that the call came from River Road in Jones county downstream of the Juliette dam. Corporal and I responded within 4-6 minutes of getting the call.

Upon arriving we saw a victim being treated by Jones County rescue personnel.  I located the owner/operator of the boat and proceeded to gather his information for my report.  Operator was very cooperative and answered my questions.  He appeared steady on his feet and had good communication with me.  I asked him for his and her contact information.  Operator advised he was the operator/owner of the boat and Occupant was the only passenger.  I asked him if they have been drinking and he advised that he had not and Occupant had been.  He gave no indication from physical clues that he had been. I asked Operator to write a written statement of what happened and then tell me what happened as well.  

Operator said that upon returning to the boat ramp from a day of boating on the river he always goes parallel to the dam to look at the rocks below - it is just something they do every time they are on that stretch of water.  He didn't realize that the current was that strong and with his 5hp motor he was unable to steer the boat clear from the dam.  The bow turned toward the dam, began going over, and Occupant jumped out toward the upstream side but still holding on to the boat as it went over the dam. She fell about 20 feet to the rocks below.  Operator rode the boat over and when making impact with the rocks he then fell out.  He had no readily apparent injuries.  One witness said he saw the boat and the people come over. They then popped up from the water. They were helped to the shore by bystanders. 

Occupant was seen by EMS and transported to Macon Medical in Macon, Georgia.  She had two lacerations to the head and was complaining about her left leg hurting.  Operator said he had no injuries but later discovered that he broken his foot in the boating incident.  

The boat was properly registered to Operator and he had all needed flotation devices on board.  The cover of the motor was missing and I did not see a cooler.  The boat was damaged on the starboard side near the bow.  

Operator's boat and equipment were retrieved by by-standers and brought to shore.  Operator released his boat and property.   I talked to Operator on July 6, 2017 to follow up with how they are doing.  He advised Occupant had 14 stitches to her head and he sustained a broken foot.  No further information was gathered.


BARDID: GA-2017-0094
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:33:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE OCONEE
NearestCityorTown: EATONTON
County: PUTNAM
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
	On June 30, 2017, I Cpl., was patrolling Lake Oconee by vessel in front of Old Salem Park.  I received a call from GSP dispatch in reference to person injured from falling off a tube.  The dispatcher advised me the vessel involved was pulling to the dock at the boat ramp at Old Salem Park.  I immediately went to the boat ramp to assist the victim.  

	Upon arrival, I noted there were three female juveniles on the dock. Two of the female juveniles were assisting the victim, which was also a female juvenile.  I noted the victim was shuffling her feet trying to walk.  I advised the two female juveniles assisting the victim to immediately lower the victim to the dock.  I tied my vessel and attended to the victim.  The victim was incoherent and had slurry speech.  Victim appeared to be going in and out of consciousness.  I started to treat the victim for shock while waiting for EMS personnel.  I asked one of the girls what happened.  The female juvenile stated she fell off the tube and she was acting funny when they got her into the vessel.  She stated they immediately started back for the boat ramp and called 911 for an ambulance.  Once EMS personnel arrived on scene, I turned my attention to the vessel and the operator.  The first thing I looked for any evidence of alcoholic beverages in the vessel, which I did not see.  I then talked to the operator who stated she was at the lake with her boyfriend and his two children.  She also had her two children there as well.  The vessel registration was GA 6279 YV, which was a 1998 Blue Bayliner Inboard/outboard.

	I spoke with Operator1.  Operator1 identified the tubers as all female juveniles.  I did not detect an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Operator1.  EMS personnel stated the victim needed to be transported to Athens Regional Medical Center immediately.  I advised Operator1 to contact the victim’s mother and advise her what was happening.  At the time there was no number for the victim’s mother and Operator1 did not have her cell phone. I advised Operator1 I would interview everyone at a later time.  Victim was transported to Athens by the medical unit.  It should be noted Operator1 accompanied the victim in the ambulance. 

When I arrived at Athens Regional hospital, I met with Dr.  Dr. stated that Victim sustained a concussion and had fluid in her left lung.  Dr. stated she was in stable condition but wanted to keep Victim overnight for observation.

I interviewed Operator1.  Operator1 stated she was pulling the tube and was causing the tube to go over the wake of the vessel.  Operator1 stated one of the girls fell off the tube which caused it to be uneven weight wise.  Operator1 stated the tube went airborne and flipped landing on top of the other two tubers.  Operator1 stated she turned around and picked up the tubers in the water.  Once she got the girls in the boat, she noted Victim was crying stating her head hurt and decided she needed to be seen by medical personnel.  

I obtained witness statements from everyone in the vessel and on the tube.  The witness statements corroborate the operator’s account of what happened.  No charges were filed in the incident and a boating incident report was completed.

	On July 2, 2017, I spoke with the victim’s mother and she stated her daughter was released from the hospital and was at home resting.


BARDID: GA-2017-0095
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:04:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE OCONEE
NearestCityorTown: GREENSBORO
County: GREENE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
	On July 1, 2017, RFC and I, Cpl. responded to a boating incident that occurred on Lake Oconee at Parks Ferry Park, a Georgia Power park.  The dispatcher advised a subject ran a PWC onto the land and had a head injury.  RFC and I responded to the incident scene via a truck.  We were unable to locate the residence but later determined it was the Georgia Power Park and not a residence.  When we arrived on scene we noted the victim had been transported to Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment.  We asked people in a nearby pavilion if they had witnessed the incident.  No one in the pavilion would come forward and make a statement.  We were told by EMS personnel that the PWC was put back into the water and was driven off from the scene.  We searched the park but we were not able to find the PWC in the park.  RFC and I took measurements and noted evidence we had.  

	RFC noted and measured where the PWC and the victim landed on the shore.  We also noted where the PWC struck the bank.  It was determined Vessel A struck the rocks on the shoreline, ejected the operator, hit on the shore approximately 45 feet from the water, skipped and hit a concrete picnic table approximately 70 feet from the water.  The PWC came to rest when it struck the concrete picnic table.  The operator was thrown approximately 40 feet from the water onto the land.  The operator was transported by EMS personnel.  Alcohol was believed to be a factor in the incident, see incident report number l100109450.  The vessel involved in the incident was not located.  

	Operator was released from Athens Regional Medical Center in the early morning hours of 070217.  RFC talked with Operator and had him blow on the PBT after smelling an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person.  The PBT showed a positive result and a search warrant was taken for the blood samples taken by Athens Regional Medical Center.  Charges are pending based on the BAC level of the samples we took into evidence and tested by the GBI.

	The Lab results were obtained and Operator's BAC was a 0.099, which is over the per se limit of 0.08.  I obtained warrants for Boating Under the Influence, and operating a PWC greater than idle speed within 100 foot of a shoreline.


BARDID: GA-2017-0105
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:03:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WOODSTOCK
County: CHEROKEE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Congested waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 30, 2017, I, RFC with the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, received a complaint of a boat incident near Atlanta Yacht Club on Allatoona Lake involving two PWC.  I responded to the area by vessel while two others responded by vehicle.

Once I arrived on scene, one of the PWC operators was being treated by Cherokee County Fire and Rescue.  The injured operator had sustained injuries to the head and right hand and arm.  At this time, the other PWC involved could not be located.  

Operator1 was loaded into Cherokee County EMS and transported to Kennastone Hospital for further treatment.  The Sea Doo PWC that Operator1 was operating belong to his uncle.  The boating incident occurred approximately 400 yards out into the lake from Atlanta Yacht Club.  Another PWC was in that location at the time of the incident but stated that he did not see the incident occur.

The PWC, vessel 1, being operated by Operator1 was located at the Galt's Ferry boat ramp.  I went to that location to gather more information regarding the incident and to observe the PWC involved.  The Sea Doo sustained damage from the bow to the steering column, primarily from the center to the starboard side.  While I was observing the damage to this PWC, Sgt. and RFC was able to locate the other PWC involved.

The other PWC, vessel 2, a white Yamaha was located in the Galt's Ferry boat ramp parking area.  See attached witness statement regarding the incident.  

As I was gathering information from Operator2, I was notified of a witness and gathered information.

From collaborating with all the information I could gather from the interviews, it appeared that three PWC were operating in the same general direction towards Illinois Creek from Atlanta Yacht Club area.  Operator1, vessel 1, was to the right, approximately 60 feet, from Operator2, vessel 2.  Subject was just ahead of the other two PWC.  Operator1, vessel 1, began to turn to the left to go the opposite direction.  Operator1, vessel 1, crossed into the path of Operator2, causing Operator2 to collide with him.  Operator2 PWC traveled over the bow and steering column of Operator1 PWC.  The collision ejected Operator1 from his PWC.  Subject then turned around and assisted Operator1 who was in the water.  From there other boaters in the area assisted.

On July 31, I contacted subject2 to check status on Operator1.  Ge advised that Operator1 was released from the hospital and is doing better.  Nothing further at this time.

RFC 


BARDID: GA-2017-0106
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 23, 2017, I, Game Warden First Class with the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, responded to Allatoona Lake at approximately 1800 hours in reference to a boating incident that occurred near Flamingo Cove.  The original complainant called to report that his vessel and another vessel had collided near Flamingo Cove on Allatoona Lake.  Operator1 advised that no injuries were sustained from the incident.  I advised Operator1 that I would be en route to work the boating incident.  Operator1 advised that a storm was coming and that he would be going back to Allatoona Landing.  I advised him that I would meet him there.  Operator1 provided me with the registration number of the other party involved.  I was able to make contact with the other party while en route to Allatoona Landing.  Operator2 advised that he was at Glade Marina.  I advised I would be en route to his location once complete at Allatoona Landing.

Once I arrived on scene at Allatoona Landing, I met with Operator1 and began my investigation into the boating incident.  I observed Operator1's vessel,  a Malibu Wakesetter ski vessel.  The vessel had the most damage to the port bow portion.  The starboard bow also had cracked fiberglass.  Operator1 advised that he was idling when the other vessel came from behind him to his left and ran over the bow of the vessel (see attached witness statement).  I gathered all information needed for the boating incident report and advised Operator1 how to receive a copy of the report.

I then changed locations to Glade Marina to meet with Operator2.  When I arrived at Glade Marina, I continued my investigation to the boating incident.  I observed Operator2's vessel, a white and blue Regal cabin cruiser.  Operator2's vessel did not appear to have any damage or paint transfer to the bow of his vessel.  He advised that the starboard stern of his vessel made contact with Operator1's vessel (see attached witness statement).  At that time, Operator2 said the only damage he could find was to the starboard side near the bottom of the hull.  There was some gouges in the hull that I could feel that appeared to be from the impact.  Operator2 advised that he was coming out of Flamingo Cove and was traveling at approximately 13-15 miles per hour when he saw the Malibu ski boat coming out of a cove on the other side of the lake.  Operator2 advised he maneuvered his vessel to attempt to miss the ski boat but did not.  Operator2 advised that Operator1 told him that he was idling along but was not paying attention.  I gathered information pertinent to the boating incident report at that time.  Operator2 advised that he would be getting his vessel out of the water sometime during the next week.  I advised Operator2 that I would need to look at the damage when the vessel was out of the water.

Operator2 contacted me on September 30, 2017 and advised that he was getting his vessel out of the water.  I advised Operator2 that I was not working that day.  Operator2 sent pictures via text message of the damage to his vessel.  I advised Operator2 that I would need to meet with him one day the following week.

On October 2, 2017, I met with Operator2 in Acworth.  I advised Operator2 with the evidence of the damage to the vessels and with the statements from witnesses, that he would be at fault for the incident.  I advised Operator2 of the rules of the road law and issued him a citation.  I provided Operator2 with my information and the region office information to request a copy of the boating incident report if he needed one.  Nothing further at that time.


Damage estimates included in this report are estimates provided by the owners.


BARDID: GA-2017-0107
State: GA
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2017-10-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BLUE RIDGE
NearestCityorTown: BLUE RIDGE
County: FANNIN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On October 31, 2017 at around 16:45 a boat fire was called into Fannin County Dispatch. Fire Fighters arrived on scene but the boat was a total loss. The boat in question is a homemade houseboat. There are several similar houseboats on Blue Ridge Lake. Some of these houseboats have been registered in Georgia but not all of them. I (Cpl. with DNR-LED) arrived on scene a few days after the fire and I could not find any identifiers of the vessel in the remains. I noticed the houseboat had been moved to this cove on Blue Ridge Lake approximately a year ago. It appeared as if it had been abandoned on the shoreline of U.S. National Forest Property. Unfortunately, this has been common with other old houseboats and boat docks. Due to flood control, TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority)  lowers the water level every winter. This caused the houseboat to be sitting on the lake bed and completely out of water. The houseboat could be accessed by anyone who walked through public property (National Forest) or dove up in another boat. At this time, it is unclear who the homemade houseboat belonged to and what started the fire. The investigation will be suspended until further information is obtained. End of report.


BARDID: GA-2017-0108
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: WOODSTOCK
County: CHEROKEE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was operating his pwc in the area of Galt's Ferry day use area.  Operator was testing the operational maneuverability of his PWC by conducting sharp turns.  Operator fell of the front right while conducting a sharp turn to the right.  The PWC hit him right shoulder.  Operator got back on his PWC and drove himself back to the boat ramp.  A CORP Ranger called 911.  Operator was transported to Northside Cherokee for treatment.  He suffered a broken collar bone.  

There is nothing further to report.


BARDID: GA-2017-0109
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CHATUGE
NearestCityorTown: HIAWASSEE
County: TOWNS
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 31, 2017, I RFC met with the Boundary Waters Marina's owner's son and he told me about an incident involving one of his rental vessels that occurred on July 30, 2017. 

Subject told me that operator had rented  a vessel from them and that he showed Operator the areas that were shallow and that he needed to keep away from. Subject told me that he received a phone call from Operator saying that they were stuck and that they needed a tow back in. 

Subject told me that Operator had run the vessel into some shallow water in the Bell Creek area and that's where they were located when he went to retrieve them. Subject also showed me where Operator had sent his GPS location by phone and that also showed the Bell Creek area. I looked at the vessel and observed damage to the scag, prop and what looked to be a fracture in the fiberglass on the starboard side. I attempted to contact Operator with no success and he did not have a voice mail for me to leave a call back number. *** 

On August 25, 2017, I RFC talked with Subject2, who is one of the owners of Boundary Waters Marina. Subject gave me a damage repair estimate to vessel 1 of $2300.00. Subject also told me that he and the customer/operator had come to an agreement to take care of the repairs and cost.


BARDID: GA-2017-0112
State: GA
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2017-04-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: WEST POINT LAKE
NearestCityorTown: LAGRANGE
County: TROUP
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
AccidentCause2: Other
OtherAccidentCause: lack of vessel flotation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday April 7,2017 at about 0930 I, Sgt.  was contacted by Sgt. in reference to an emergency on West Point Lake. I contacted Troup County 911 and they said that a person or persons were in the water at Clark Access calling for help. I contacted Cpl. and we started toward the location. Before I arrived Troup 911 dispatch called me back and said that all people were out of the water, safe and uninjured. 

     I arrived on the scene at about 1030 hours and spoke with Sgt. of the Troup County Sheriff's Office and TFC of the Georgia State Patrol. They were both off duty and returning to Clark Access from fishing and they heard a person calling for help. They saw a person in the water between the boat ramp and the bridge over Hwy 27. They went to the person and pulled him into their boat and brought him to shore. The victim was uninjured and checked out by Troup County Fire and EMS. They said the boat had sunk and they could not recover it. 

     I spoke with Operator and he told me that he was in his boat, described as a small 12 foot jon boat powered by an electric trolling motor. Operator said he had started back to the boat ramp from the area of the bridge because the wind was picking up. He said he was in the back of the boat and had leaned over to adjust the motor when the front of the boat reared up and the boat went under water. Operator said the boat disappeared from under him and the items in the boat floated around him. Operator had on a PFD before the incident occurred. He said he held onto a floating seat cushion and began to yell for help. He said he was in the water for about 10-15 minutes before anyone came to his aid. He told me he was uninjured. He said the boat, motor, battery and a few fishing items were worth around $500.00 total. 

    Ranger from the US Army Corps of Engineers came to the scene and got some information from Operator so they could contact him about finding and removing the boat from the lake. 

     The boat Operator was in was not recovered at the time of this initial report. 
      No further details.


BARDID: GA-2017-0113
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:32:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CARTERSVILLE
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Carbon monoxide exposure
AccidentCause1: Carbon monoxide exposure
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 28, 2017 at approximately 1132 hours an emergency call came in on Dock 12 at Park Marina on Allatoona Lake.  Sgt. and I responded to Dock 12 with Bartow County Fire / Rescue Units.  Once at the Dock we were approached by subject carrying a small female in her arms.  Subject stated that while playing behind a houseboat anchored in Clear Creek, her daughter became lethargic and somewhat unresponsive.  The Fire Units assisted Subject to the parking area and began medical treatment on the young child.  Subject stated that several kids were behind the houseboat and the generators were running.  

A family member, is the owner of the houseboat. EMS units immediately began to treat Victim for possible carbon monoxide poisoning. The family called other people on the water to inform them of the carbon monoxide danger.  Subject stated that some of the other children were sleepy.  EMS Personnel advised the family to have the other children checked out.  victim was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment. Subject' younger daughter was also took to a local hospital to be checked.  The two young children were kept overnight at the Hospital and released the following day.

Cpl.


BARDID: GA-2017-0114
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:58:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CARTERSVILLE
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 23, 2017 at approximately 1958 hours I received a message from manager of Park Marina boat rentals on Allatoona Lake. Subject advised that one of the rental pontoons had ran into the shore in the area of the narrows. 

We responded to the incident location.  Subject advised that his workers were going to help the party involved in the incident. Once on-scene I observed a 25 foot pontoon stuck on some rocks on the shore side of a hazard pole marker.  Staff from Park Marina brought another pontoon and transported the passengers onto it.  Once the passengers were on the other pontoon I spoke with the people involved.  

Operator also took the safety course at the Marina and provided the paperwork.  I asked Operator "who was driving the boat and what happened".  Operator stated that during the storm he was driving his party back to Park Marina and he cut near the shore.  He stated that the boat became stuck on the rocks.  The staff from Park Marina were able to pull the boat from the rocks and transport it back to the Marina to assess the damage.  Further investigation found that Operator was under the influence of alcohol.  Operator was placed under arrest for Operating a Vessel Under the Influence. BUI Arrest Incident Report  #I100116974   

The vessel had damage to the center pontoon and outboard trim.


BARDID: GA-2017-0115
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ALLATOONA LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CARTERSVILLE
County: BARTOW
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 6, 2017 at 1430 hours I received a call from GSP Dispatch in reference to a boat incident involving two PWC's on Allatoona Lake at Red Top Mt. State Park.  I responded to the incident with Bartow County Deputy.  Once on scene I spoke with the parties involved.  

Operator1 stated that he just purchased two PWCs and brought them to the lake with some friends.  While on the water on one of the PWCs, he was hit by the other PWC that he owned.  Operator1 stated that he turned his PWC and was hit across the front by the other PWC.  Operator1 stated that he did not know the operator of the PWC, the male operator came with his friends.  I spoke with the other male involved.  The male could not provide a valid ID.  

Operator2 stated that he was following Operator1 on a PWC and he tried to turn and slow down, but hit the front of Operator1's PWC.  Operator2 stated that he was unfamiliar with operating a PWC.  The PWC that Operator1 was operating sustained major damage to the front compartment and hull.  Operator1 provided a written statement.  I attempted to find information on Operator2 in the CAD computer database with the information he provided.  I was unable to verify any identification.  Deputy spoke with Operator2.  Operator2 stated that he was deported from the United States 10 years ago and he was back illegally.  Operator2 was placed under arrest and charged with violation of the rules of the road on the water.


BARDID: GA-2017-0116
State: GA
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE SINCLAIR
NearestCityorTown: SPARTA
County: HANCOCK
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
DNR LED received information of this boating incident a few days after the fact via social media. Sgt. informed me of the incident and gathered information as he could from the victim's mother. Subject and her daughter, victim, were at Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta receiving treatment. I spoke with Subject and made arrangements to meet with them and the other parties involved on August 3rd after Victim would be released from the hospital. I first received a verbal account of the incident and then gathered statements from all parties involved.

	Vessel A was occupied by three adults, the operator and 2 passengers and was towing two juveniles on a tube along the Oconee River portion of Lake Sinclair. The incident occurred at the mouth of a cove on the Hancock County side of the Lake approximately a mile south of Crooked Creek Marina. Vessel A was traveling approximately 20-30 mph and was making a large turn when the tube struck a large wake. Once the tube struck the wake, both passengers of the tube were ejected into the air and came down face first into the water. Vessel A immediately went to the aid of the juveniles of which the victim was face down in the water unresponsive. The victim was retrieved. The victim began being responsive but showed signs of confusion, nausea as well as paralysis to her right side. 911 was contacted and first responders as well as an ambulance responded and transported the victim to The Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon.

	Based on the extent of the victim's injuries, the activity she was involved with at the time and the depth of the water, it is believed the victim struck an unknown floating or submerged object in the water. The object very well could have been stationary or not. According to the discharge papers from the hospital, the victim received an altered mental status, traumatic brain injury as well as a subdural hematoma to the left side crown area. The victim will receive periodic treatment as needed to monitor her recovery.


