On 9/4/13 at approximately 3:30pm, operator who is 80 years old and a cancer survivor, decided to go for an afternoon boat ride alone in his 30 foot wooden hacker craft.  The vessel was docked at his residence near blythe landing in ramsey creek of lake norman.  Operator stated he was tired from operating a pressure washer for four hours before he left to go out on his boat.  He operated his boat out of ramsey creek into the main channel where he traveled north toward the i-77 causeway before returning back to ramsey creek.  When operator entered ramsey creek, he stated he fell asleep while operating the vessel.  The vessel traveled toward blythe landing where it struck the rip rap covered shoreline within 20 feet of a water intake station.  The vessel traveled up a 6 foot embankment before coming to rest completely out of the water on the shoreline.  The impact of the vessel striking the shoreline caused operator to hit the steering wheel and dashboard.  He suffered several small lacerations to his face, arms and right leg.  A small puddle of blood was in the floor directly under the steering wheel of the vessel.  Operator was able to climb out of the vessel under his own power and walk a short way to the blythe landing office to seek help.  Workers at the office rendered first aid and transported operator to an urgent care facility in huntersville where he was treated and released later that day.  The workers stated that they did not notice any odor of an alcoholic beverage on operator.  Alcohol was not a factor in this accident.  Operator did state that he had taken two tylenol before leaving the dock.  The vessel was equipped with all required safety equipment.
HUNTERSVILLE