On August 29, 2010 at or around 1746, I arrived at the Lick Creek Boat Ramp on Barkley Lake on a report of a boat circling with no operator.  Based upon evidence and witness statements, a synposis of the events are as follows:

Victim was alone and launched his vessel at the Lick Creek Boat Ramp sometime between 1540 and 1550 hours on August 29, 2010 and headed towards Long Creek.  At or around 1550 hours, his vessel was observed going in circles without an operator.  After witnesses searched the area for survivors, a 911 call was placed at 1554 hours.  At or around 1629 hours, Deputy notified the victim''s wife in person of the accident.

Witnesses state the vessel continued in circles until it ran aground north of the boat ramp.  A bystander stopped the motor and the vessel was later towed by Stewart County Fire Rescue to the Lick Creek Boat Ramp.  A bystander observed a hat and one flip flop floating on the surface.  He collected the items and marked the area with a yellow marker.  Shortly thereafter, a flip flop and a dipping tobacco can floated near the marker.  He also collected the items and they were later identified by subject as belonging to the victim.

Stewart County Fire Rescue performed an extensive rescue and recovery operation and body surfaced at or around 1607 hours on August 30, 2010 near the yellow marker in 8 feet of water.   The body was positively identified as Victim by his brother in presence of the Stewart County Coroner.  

The autopsy report list the cause of death as accidental drowning.

The vessel is a 1975 model 14 foot aluminum Polarcraft with a 20 hp Mercury tiller motor.  The boat is well used with multiple scratches and dents.   The olive green paint is dull and faded.  It was common for the victim to drag the boat over obstacles to get to his favorite fishing holes.  There is no evidence on the  boat or motor of a collision.  The contents inside the vessel indicate a hard roll to port.

The vessel was water tested on September 28, 2010.  There were no mechanical defects found in the motor.  Maximum speed of the vessel was around 22 mph.  When the steering handle was let go at 8 mph, the motor would immediately torque into a sharp starboard turn and decrease speed slightly.  I was unable get the items inside the boat to shift to the position where they were observed the day of the accident.

There are numerous navigational hazards in the area of the accident including submerged stumps and shallow bars.  However, based upon the evidence and the local knowledge of the victim, this does not appear to be a contributing factor. 

Evidence does suggest that for some unknown reason, the victim let go of the tiller handle causing the boat to turn sharply to the starboard throwing the victim off the port side of the vessel.  
DOVER                         