OWNER AND OPERATOR, AND subject LAUNCHED THEIR BOAT FROM LONG POINT LANDING ON TO LAKE NORMAN ON THE EVENING OF 5/18/13.  THEY TRAVELED NORTH ON LAKE NORMAN AND STOPPED CLOSE TO THE HWY 70 BRIDGE TO FISH.  SHORTLY AFTER STOPPING, THEY NOTICED WATER COMING INTO THE VESSEL. Operator SAID THEY CHECKED AND NOTICED THAT THE BILGE PLUG HAD COME OUT AND THE BOAT WAS TAKING ON WATER.  OPERATOR STATED THAT BEFORE THEY LEFT THE LANDING THEY BOTH CHECKed THE PLUG TO MAKE SURE IT WAS IN PLACE.  THEY TRIED TO GET THE BOAT TO SHORE BUT WERE UNABLE TO DO SO BEFORE IT SWAMPED.  THEY WERE PICKED UP FROM THE SHORE BY ANOTHER FISHERMAN AND TAKEN TO THE HWY 70 BRIDGE WHERE EMS MET THEM.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED.  BOTH OPERATOR AND subject HAD BEEN CONSUMING ALCOHOL.  OPERATOR HAD BEEN DRINKING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT BUT WAS NOT IMPAIRED ACCORDING TO OFFICER.  THE VESSEL WAS LEFT IN THE WATER AND LATER RECOVERED BY TOW BOAT US.
CATAWBA