RedactedNarrative: On July 03, 2016 at approximately 1530 hours, officers were conducting a boating safety patrol on Lake Rabun in the area of the narrows when we noticed a bass boat sitting low in the water.  The vessel appeared to be overloaded with seven people on board.  
  
  I turned on the blue emergency lights on my patrol vessel to initiate a vessel stop.  The operator of the vessel said he was sinking from taking on water from the wake of a another vessel.  Another vessel stopped and told the operator of the sinking vessel to go to his dock and put the vessel on his lift in order to drain the water.  
  
  Operator went to the dock, let the six passengers off, and then attempted to get the vessel on the lift.  Operator appeared to be having a hard time doing this task.  The owner of the lift finally jumped in the water and swam the vessel onto the lift.  I explained to Operator the reason for the vessel stop while the water was draining from his vessel.  I told Operator that I would transport his passengers to the boat ramp and follow him while he drove his vessel to the ramp after the water was drained from his vessel.  
  
  Once the water was drained from Operator vessel, I had the six passengers from his vessel put on a proper fitting life jacket and board my patrol vessel.  Operator put on a proper fitting life jacket and prepared to take his vessel to the ramp.  While leaving the dock, we noticed Operator having a difficult time getting his vessel into the channel.  
  
  Deputy asked Operator’s wife (wife)  if Operator had ever owned boat before now.  Operator’s wife (wife) said this was Operator first boat.  As I followed Operator, I noticed he would not get his vessel on plane because he would not increase the throttle.  I noticed the stern of his vessel was sinking again from taking on water caused by his "plowing".  Operator put his vessel in neutral and sat in the middle of the channel looking confused.  I told him to take the vessel to the nearest dock so that it would not sink in the middle of the channel.  Operator went to the nearest dock.  Soon after Operator put his vessel in neutral, the vessel sank in less than five foot of water.  I told Operator that I was going to take his passengers to the boat ramp and that I would be back.
  
  I dropped the passengers off at the boat ramp and returned to Operator.  Operator was emotionally distraught and wanted to know what to do.  The owner of this dock offered to call a resident on Lake Rabun, to see if he could assist with raising the sunken vessel.  subject arrived at our location and was able to raise the vessel and tow it the boat ramp.  I issued Operator a warning for operating an overloaded vessel.
  
  I spoke with Operator on July 13, 2016 in reference to see if he had gotten an estimate for any repairs his vessel may need.  Operator said it would cost around $2800.00 total.  Operator asked if the operator of another vessel was going to be required to pay for the repairs.  I told him that there were no other vessels involved.  Operator said it was the vessel that swamped him the second time causing him to sink.  Operator said it was a red and white vessel and that his mother-in-law said the operator of this vessel was in Franklin County Detention Center for trying to hide the red and white vessel.  I asked Operator how his mother-in-law would know this, and he said she works for Habersham County Sheriff's Office at the Habersham County Detention Center.  I told Operator I was not aware of any of the accusations he stated.