On Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at approximately 1650 hours Sgt. and I, RFC responded  to a call of a boating incident in Manhead Sound where the victims had sustained injuries.  While making way to the scene, we could hear a TowBoat US captain trying to guide a Coast Guard vessel into the location of the incident, and shortly after, we saw a TowBoat US vessel heading South into the McKay River.  We then saw the Coast Guard vessel and could see only the hull of the vessel that was involved.  As Sgt. manuevered our patrol vessel into the scene, I made my way to the bow to survey the situation.  There were two Coast Guard officers; one victim, that was moving about the scene in a very frantic state, and one other victim that was trapped under the gunwale of the vessel on the starboard side approximately midway down the vessel.

     Victim was trapped face down in the marsh, and was coherent and seemingly calm considering the circumstances.  we attempted to lift the vessel to no avail.  Sgt., secured our patrol boat in the marsh and now with the four of us lifting the overturned vessel we were still unable to move it.  Sgt then instructed the Coxswain of the Coast Guard boat to get the wench line out so we would attempt to hook to a clete and move the overturned vessel with hopes of  pulling the trapped man from under the boat.  While Sgt was rigging the line to the clete, I talked to Operator and began a battery of questions.  The trapped man was able to answer all questions correctly, describe the pain he was feeling (specifically in his legs and a burning sensation which we figured was from the gas leaking from the boat)  while remaining calm.  Sgt had the rigging set and we were ready to try to move the vessel.  Before the attempts to move the boat, Sgt advised Operator exactly what we were going to do and how we were going to do it.  Specifically we told him if he felt any pressure release to let us know and we were going to pull him out.  

     As the Coast Guard vessel tightened the line up I saw the overturned boat begin to lift and barely slide; seeing this I grabbed Operator's hand and pulled him from underneath the gunwale of the boat.  Sgt then began talking to Operator specifically about any injuries or pain that he could feel, and advised him that we were going to have to turn him over to get him into a litter.  I retrieved the litter from our patrol boat and we rolled Operator into the litter, and put him onto the bow of our boat.  Operator's son, one of the Coast Guard officers and I stabilized the victim while Sgt drove us to the McKay River Boat Ramp on the St. Simons Island Causeway.

     After the victims had been transported, Sgt and I returned to the scene to investigate further.  We located an area in the marsh that had been chewed up by a propeller that was approximately 100' in length.  The vessel, a 26' Southwind with Georgia Registration GA9058ED  (HIN# SMIG0144B313), was powered by a Suzuki four stroke 225hp Outboard motor.  We surveyed the area for personal belonging and  signs of alcohol.  Finding none, we photographed the scene and contacted TowBoat US to recover the vessel.  

Vessel capsized after grounding.  excessive speed and improper lookout were causes.
ST SIMONS ISLAND