RedactedNarrative: On October 18, 2014, Operator rented a vessel from Okefenokee Adventures. At approximately 1150 hours, Operator signed the rental agreement and reviewed operating procedures with Okefenokee Adventures employee.  Safety equipment rented with the vessel included two (2) type II personal flotation devices and a paddle. The vessel is a fourteen foot Alumacraft, Sierra1436 LT model, displaying a hull identification number of ACBD6128H314. The vessel is registered with the state of Georgia (GA1075XZ) and is insured by Philadelphia Insurance Company. The vessel is equipped with a six horsepower Yamaha outboard motor, F6SMHA model, serial number 6BXS1029391.
  
  Operator and his wife boarded the vessel docked at the Suwannee Recreation Center and traveled approximately six miles along the Suwannee Canal in a northwest direction to the Coffee Bay shelter located in Ware County, Georgia. Operator pulled the bow of the vessel onto the bank near the restroom facility. According to a written statement given by Operator, they arrived at the Coffee Bay shelter at 1315 hours and remained there until approximately 1345 hours. Operator said when they were ready to leave, he pushed the vessel to the edge of the bank. Wife boarded the vessel and sat down in the middle seat. It is unknown, at this time, whether Wife was seated facing towards the bow or the stern of the vessel. Operator boarded the vessel and sat in the operator's seat at the stern of the vessel, facing towards the bow. Operator stated he used a paddle to push the vessel away from the bank into the Suwannee Canal. 
  
  Operator stated he had difficultly starting the motor and attempted shifting between gears: forward, neutral and reverse. When Operator started the motor, it was in forward gear with the throttle turned up. The vessel ramped over floating vegetation and debris that obstructed the entire width of the canal. Operator and Wife were ejected from the vessel into the canal. The depth of the water in the canal was approximately six feet. Operator stated that neither he nor Wife were wearing a personal flotation device when they were ejected from the vessel and that Wife could not swim. 
  
  Operator stated the vessel circled to the starboard side and the propeller became entangled in Wife's clothing.  Operator stated that he attempted to hold Wife's head above water and used a pocket knife to cut Wife's clothing from the propeller. Operator stated that he attempted to pull Wife onto the floating debris but the debris continued to submerge under their weight. Operator said he climbed back into the vessel and attempted to pull Wife back into vessel but the vessel overturned. Operator said at this time he was wearing a personal flotation device. Operator estimated that Wife remained conscious between 15 to 30 minutes after entering the water.  Operator stated after approximately two hours in the water, he was able to pull Wife up onto the bank. Operator said he believed Wife was deceased at this time. 
  
  Operator said he boarded the vessel and used a cypress log to push the vessel into deeper water. Operator started the motor and drove the vessel back over the floating debris.