According to the occupants of the vessel, they were fishing on lake lanier and were in flowery branch creek on 12/22/2010. A wave swamped the vessel causing it to sink. They were able to retrieve their pfd's and swim to an island near to van pugh park. They stated that they could barely move because they were so cold and were forced to stay the night on the island. Also, the forcasted overnight low temperature was 27 degrees fahrenheit. They were able to start a fire on the island. At approx. 01:30 hrs. On 12/23/2010 a missing persons report was made to gwinnett police dept. Gwinnett pd was able to locate one of the subjects vehicles with boat trailer at shoal creek boat ramp. I received a call from soc at approx. 0430 hrs. Once on the lake gwinnett pd called me and advised that they had a helicopter in the air to assist with the search. I spotted the helicopter and turned my emergency lights on to notify them that i was in the area. Gwinnett pd called and advised that the helicopter could see a fire on the island near my location on the opposite side. I traveled to the opposite side of the island and found the three missing boaters near the fire at 0630 hrs. I was able to get the missing boaters aboard my patrol vessel and transported them to incident command at shoal creek boat ramp. The missing boaters were treated by medical personal for mild hypothermia.
GAINESVILLE                   