On Saturday June 4, 2011 at approx. 19:30 Operator launched his boat at Rat Branch ramp on Watauga Lake.  Operator traveled around and then moored his vessel near the Watauga Dam.  After launching and during their cruising the vessel appeared to be fine and showed no signs of taking on any water.  Operator and a passenger were on shore for a period of about 3 hours.  Upon returning to the vessel and boarding Operator and his passenger observed a large amount of water in the bottom of the vessel.  Operator thought that he might be able to make it back to Rat Branch ramp but along path back to the ramp the vessel was taken over by water.  Operator was able to get his vessel to the bank in the area of Cardens Bluff Campground where he tied the bow off to a small tree, very shortly after tying off the vessel completely submerged.   The vessel sank at apprx. 22:30 and TWRA was not notified until the following day and arrived onscene at approx. 16:05. TWRA believes the vessel accident struck ground prior to taking on water.
HAMPTON                       