"On the morning of 07/15/2012, Elbert County Central Dispatch made contact with Corporal who in turn notified me, Corporal of a sunken vessel reported by a boater on Lake Russell in Beaver Dam Creek.  Sergeant and myself responded to the Lake Russell boat house and launched a patrol boat to investigate the incident.  The registration numbers provided information on the registered owner who was contacted by phone and verified the circumstances of the vessel sinking.  Operator was at a residence in Wilkes County and met me at the Wilkes County LEC to file a report.  He stated that on 07-13-2012, he launched his boat at the Elbert Ramp off of Highway 72 on Lake Russell in Elbert County.  He proceeded into Beaver Dam Creek to fish in a timbered  cove near Beaver Dam Marina at day marker number 6 where he discovered his boat filling with water.  He was unable to crank the gas motor on the boat and stayed with the vessel until it sank.   Operator stated that he was able to swim to shore and secured the vessel at the shoreline.  He then discovered that he had failed to install the boat plug when he launched.  Attempts to recover the vessel to date have been unsuccessful but continue."
ELBERTON                      