On Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 20:49 hours, I (RFC) received a call from Cpl. in reference to a vessel needing assistance near the Redlands Public Boat Ramp on Lake Oconee.  Cpl. gave me the contact number of a man that was assisting the boater.  When I contacted subject, he told me that the vessel in question had capsized but that he was able to get the man in the boat, and his 3 year old son into the safety of his boat and to shore.  Sgt. and I were able to locate the vessel approximately 300 yards away from the boat ramp.  The vessel was capsized and most of the vessel was underwater.  Sgt. tied 3 chemical snap lights to the bow of the vessel for safety.  I then operated the patrol vessel to the shore and Sgt. and I began to speak to the witnesses as well as Operator.  

According to Operator, he was waiting for the boat ramp to clear so he could load his vessel onto his trailer.  When he noticed the ramp was clear he put his throttle in forward and began to maneuver his vessel toward the ramp.  As he increased the speed of the vessel, he felt the vessel strike something and stop.  He stated he noticed that his young son had been thrown forward and appeared to have a small cut on his left ear.  At this time Operator put his boat in neutral and he engaged the throttle again.  Operator then stated he noticed the vessel was taking on water and he began to yell for help to people on the shore.  

At this time, subjects2 noticed the cries for help and assisted Operator.  According to subjects2, they attempted to pull the vessel to the ramp but realized they were unable to do so.  They then assisted Operator and his son into their boat.  While they were transferring vessels, the boat flipped and continued to sink.  Operator reentered the water in an attempt to collect his truck keys that were located in the glove box of the vessel.  Subjects2 told Operator not to go under the vessel for safety reasons and helped him reboard their vessel and took he and his son to the shore.  While I spoke with Operator, I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person as well as noticed an alcoholic beverage container in his cooler when his son opened it.  

Operator had stated his English was not very good so I contacted Sgt. to translate for me.  I stated that I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage and asked how much he had to drink to which he responded he had one.  At this time I asked Operator if he would perform a series of field sobriety exercises, to which he replied "OK".  At the conclusion of the field sobriety, I did not deem Operator to be under the influence.  I collected all of the information I needed from him and asked if he could write a witness statement in regards to the incident.  Operator stated he would not be able to write the statement due to the language barrier.  I asked Operator if I were to write the statement would he sign it, to which he replied he would.  As Operator told me the events, I wrote a shorthand version of the incident.  At the conclusion of the statement, I read what I had wrote and asked Operator if it was an accurate representation of his statement to which he replied it was and then he signed the document.  I explained to Operator that I would attempt to contact someone that may could help him remove his vessel but that it would be his responsibility to remove the vessel from the water.
GREENSBORO