RedactedNarrative: On May 1st, 2016, at approximately 0745 hours, I, Ranger (Rng) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division-Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (GA DNR LED CIRT), received a call from GA DNR LED Corporal (Cpl), who advised of a boating incident that had occurred the previous date on Lake Lanier in Hall County.  Cpl advised that the boating incident would likely turn into a CIRT incident investigation at a later time, and to initiate a standard boating incident investigation.
  
  Cpl advised that on April 30th, 2016, at approximately 1700 hours, he received a phone call from the manager of Habersham Marina.  Manager advised Cpl that one of his tenants had called to report a suspicious vessel near the mouth of Cocktail Cove on Lake Lanier.  Manager advised that the boat was drifting unattended, and a hat and sandals floated near the vessel.  Additionally, another person called Hall County 911 to report seeing the vessel drifting unattended.  Cpl responded to the location, and observed the vessel drifting in the lake, along with another vessel, as well as a Personal Water Craft (PWC) nearby.  Cpl advised that a female of an additional vessel on scene, stated that she had noticed the victim's vessel drifting in the middle of the lake for quite some time, and that it appeared to be unoccupied.  Subject advised Cpl that another vessel had pulled up to the victim's vessel, and called 911.  Subject advised Cpl that the initial caller left the scene, but Subject decided to remain until authorities arrived.
  
  Cpl advised that the victim's vessel was located near the main channel of the lake, approximately three to four hundred yards from the small island adjacent to Cocktail Cove, with the wind blowing to the North.  Cpl advised that witnesses placed the original location that the vessel was observed, as being located at approximately two hundred feet from the small island, but closer to Cocktail Cove.  Cpl advised that he began to examine the vessel at that time.  Cpl advised that Ranger First Class (RFC) and Rng received the call as well from Hall Dispatch, and responded to the scene.  Cpl advised that he boarded the vessel, and observed that the throttle was in neutral, with the key in the ignition.  He advised that a pair of sunglasses were placed upside down on the console of the vessel, as if they had been recently put there.  He also advised that he located a cellular phone, and a device that is used to allow individuals with a tracheostomy to speak (electrolarnyx).  RFC and Rng towed the vessel to the DNR LED Boathouse, located at Aqua-land Marina, and secured it for evidence.
  
  Cpl was unable to locate any identifying object on the vessel that would allow for identification of the vessel's operator.  He began to make phone calls to the recent numbers that were dialed in the operator's phone.  He spoke with a gentleman.  Subject2 advised Cpl that he had spoken to the operator at approximately 1345 hours.  Operator had advised Subject2 that he had run out of fuel near Cocktail Cove, while traveling to Bald Ridge Marina, from Holiday Marina.  Cpl then spoke with the victim's ex-girlfriend, and she provided Cpl with further information concerning Operator.  Ex-girlfriend advised Cpl that Operator lived on a houseboat located at Bald Ridge Marina (slip M-32), and that the vessel he was operating was owned by another person.  Ex-girlfriend also advised Cpl that Operator had recovered from throat cancer, and had a tracheostomy.  Cpl then began conducting shore sweeps of the surrounding area…
   
  I conclude, that on April 30th, 2016, at approximately 1345 hours, Victim spoke with Subject by cellular phone. Victim advised Subject that he had traveled by vessel on Lake Lanier, when his vessel experienced fuel related problems. The motor most likely ceased function due to this. Victim was located near Cocktail Cove at that time. Victim had just left Holiday Marina, and attempted to reach Bald Ridge Marina. At that time, Victim then most likely began to remedy the vessel's fuel related problems (a fuel hose leak had occurred, which rendered the vessel inoperable). A thunderstorm occurred at that time; high winds and rain ensued. Rain water entered the vessel, and accumulated at the stern area. The bilge was full of water, as the vessel had taken on water during the course of the day. The vessel became unstable. Victim most likely stepped onto the port side rear deck, in order to unlatch the motor cowling. The motor would not trim. He most likely released the port side cowling latch, to inspect the motor. The vessel then most likely rolled port side enough to cause him to lose his balance. Victim then fell over the gunwale, and into the water. He was not wearing a life jacket. He could not re-board the vessel. The northward wind most likely pushed the vessel away from him. Victim had a tracheostomy. When he went underwater, water entered directly into his lungs, and he subsequently drowned. This incident report is based exclusively upon accessible information at the present