RedactedNarrative: On 06/18/2022 at approximately 1416 hours, I, Game Wardens were notified by Gainesville Dispatch of a possible drowning near Holiday Marina on Lake Lanier. Upon arrival, Hall County Fire Department and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office were on scene by boat. 
  
  During the investigation, witnesses stated they left Holiday Marina around 1350 hours. The driver swapped seats with another occupant on board and went to the front of the pontoon. As the pontoon cleared the no wake buoys. The new operator pushed the throttle forward to get on plane. Due to the high winds the victim’s hat blew off his head and into the water. 
  
  The victim attempted to retrieve the hat by leaning over the bow of the boat, but he was not able to get it. The victim suggested jumping into the water and the witnesses stated they tried to talk the victim into wearing a life jacket before jumping in, but the victim did not put one on. Then, the victim jumped into the water without a personal flotation device. The victim retrieved the hat, but as he attempted to swim back to the pontoon the wind continued to push the pontoon further away from him. 
  
  The witnesses tried to throw a black tube in the direction of the victim, but the wind blew the tube away from him. The witnesses stated the victim began to struggle in the water due to the high winds and boat traffic on the water as the wakes continued to hold the victim under water. The witnesses lost sight of the victim. The operator of the pontoon circled around and stated as he got closer to the victim, he lost sight of him at the bow of the pontoon. Two occupants on the pontoon did jump into the water to help the victim, but they were unsuccessful. 
  
  Game Wardens, along with Hall County Fire Department and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office continued searching by using mounted sonar equipment on the patrol vessels throughout the day. The DNR Sonar Team returned after dark and continued the search efforts by using sector scan throughout the night and morning hours. 
  
  Game Wardens returned on 06/19/2022 at approximately 0800 hours to continue searching for the victim by conducting shore sweeps and using mounted sonar equipment. DNR’s Sonar Team returned after dark to begin using sector scan throughout the night and morning hours. 
  
  Game Wardens returned on 06/20/2022 at approximately 0800 hours to continue searching for the victim by conducting shore sweeps and using mounted sonar equipment.
  
  The DNR Sonar Team continued searching during the evening hours and into the mornings until 06/23/2022. Game Wardens continued morning and evening shore sweeps until 06/26/2022. 
  
  On 06/26/2022 at approximately 1230 hours, I, GW received information that a private diver did locate the victim. The victim was taken to the Dekalb County Medical Examiner Office.
  